How to Fight Gum Disease

Taking care of your teeth and gums is a top priority. More than 75 percent of Americans over the age of 35 have some type of gum disease. Gum and periodontal disease describe a bacterial growth and production of factors that eventually destroy the tissue surrounding the teeth. When this happens, the teeth decay and fall out. Simply following good oral hygiene routine everyday can help you avoid tooth decay. It’s important to be mindful of plaque and other factors such as bacteria that can cause the gums and teeth to become unhealthy.

Brushing and flossing the teeth every day can help keep plaque for building up on the teeth and gums. Plaque is a colorless sticky film that can wreak havoc on your mouth causing the gums to become irritated, swell and even bleed. If left untreated, patients can lose their teeth because bone and connective tissue become destroyed. Arming yourself with the knowledge to fight plaque and bacteria will help keep your gums and teeth as healthy as possible.

Gingivitis is also a symptom of this disease. In the early stages of gingivitis, the gums become red and swollen and easily bleed especially during brushing. Left untreated, this can turn into periodontitis. The inner layer of the gum and bone recede and form pockets. These pockets can become infected as they collect debris. Other signs of periodontitis are loose or shifting teeth, changes in the way the teeth fit together on biting and persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth. However, these issues along with others, are very preventable.

If you are not consistent with good oral hygiene but you have no symptoms, you may still have some form of gum issue. Some patients have isolated problems in the back of the mouth where they cannot see. Our dentists can recognize and determine the severity of these issues during a routine visit. During an exam, our experts will check for swelling, firmness and bleeding along with movement and sensitivity of the teeth. Your bite may also be looked at in case it has shifted. X-rays can also determine the breakdown of bone around the teeth.

When you brush and floss twice a day and get professional cleanings at our office at least twice a year, your gums and teeth will thank you. You can actually reverse the early stages of this disease by being diligent with your oral health so that you can keep your teeth for a lifetime. Schedule an appointment with us today.

How are Periodontal Pockets Treated?

Periodontal pockets form when the gum tissue pulls away from teeth in response to the inflammation and swelling that occurs as a result of plaque and tartar buildup. The pockets between the teeth and gum tissue can become quite deep and offer bacteria the perfect environment to breed. More plaque and tartar develop in these hard-to-clean pockets, and eventually, the bone around your teeth will be at risk. Our periodontist in Los Angeles will recommend a personalized treatment program for you.

The first step in treating these pockets is cleaning them thoroughly. This usually requires a procedure called scaling and root planing, or SRP. SRP is a deep-cleaning procedure designed to clean the pockets around the teeth and remove all of that plaque and tartar buildup. After the teeth have been scaled, the roots will be planed, which means that they will be smoothed. This makes it easier for the gum tissue to heal and reattach.

In early stages of periodontitis, SRP may be enough to control the infection and allow the gums to heal. In later stages, surgery may be needed. Pocket reduction surgery is a procedure used to tighten the gum tissue around the teeth. Gum grafts and bone grafts can also be helpful. Call our office today to learn more about your gum treatment options or to schedule a consultation with our expert in treating periodontal pockets in Los Angeles.

How is Periodontitis Treated?

Periodontitis is a serious infection of the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Without treatment, periodontitis can damage and destroy the tissues, and this can eventually lead to tooth, gum and bone loss. Our periodontist in Los Angeles offers treatments that can control the infection and stop the spread of the disease. 

Non-surgical treatments are generally recommended before surgery. These can include: 

·         Scaling and root planing
This is a special deep cleaning procedure that is used to remove any buildup from your teeth and below the gum tissue. We may use small instruments and ultrasonic devices to remove hardened or mineralized deposits. This procedure also is used to smooth the roots of the teeth in order to discourage future buildup.

·         Antibiotic therapy
Both topical and oral antibiotics can be used to control the bacteria. Topical antibiotics are usually administered as a mouthwash, but it may also include the placement of antibiotic fibers or gels between the roots of the teeth and the gum tissues.

If the infection has progressed considerably, conservative treatments may not be enough to stop it. In this case, we may recommend surgery. Surgical periodontal treatments are designed to address the tissue loss and halt the progression of the disease. They can include soft tissue grafts, bone grafts, pocket reduction surgery and guided tissue regeneration. Call us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment with our expert in periodontitis treatmentin Los Angeles.