According to the Centers for Disease Control, periodontal disease is present in half of adults over the age of 30. Without treatment, this disease could grow in severity until you risk the loss of your teeth. Which is why your Encinitas/San Diego, CA, periodontist talks about recognizing the presence of periodontal disease, and how we can offer treatment with laser dentistry.
The Underlying Causes
How does someone develop gum disease? Various factors could lead to the initial inflammation, also known as gingivitis. This could be brought on by infrequent brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings, as well as a diet high in sugar and starch. These factors create plaque buildup that can irritate and inflame the gums. Inflammatory illnesses, certain medications, tobacco use, and a family history of periodontal issues could be possible too. At this stage, you may exhibit sore, red gums that bleed easily. Without care to reverse inflammation, this could grow more severe and pockets could form at the gum line. Once bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis enter the pockets, the disease develops. At this stage, treatment is crucial for managing the issue to prevent the late stage, known as periodontitis, which could cause adult tooth loss.
Common Warning Signs
As we touched on above, you may notice redness in your gums or soreness. Bleeding is common, especially when you brush and floss. You could notice gum recession, which makes teeth appear long. Swelling could occur as well. When these symptoms begin to develop, we urge you to give us a call right away. Our team will carefully examine your smile with advanced technology to create a precise and accurate diagnosis. From there, we can create the most appropriate treatment option to manage the disease and keep your smile comfortable and whole.
Treatment With Laser Dentistry
When possible, we will employ dental lasers as part of your treatment. This is a minimally invasive option that takes one visit to complete, removing diseased tissues with precision and protecting the healthy tissues in the process. Far more accurate than scalpels and sutures, this prevents bleeding, infection, and swelling afterward, and people often return to normal activities after only a day of rest. The lasers can help remove harmful buildup and diseased tissues, reducing the depth of periodontal pockets and allowing healthy tissues to adhere to the teeth again.
If you have any questions about how we treat issues like periodontal disease with laser dentistry, then contact our team today.
Your Encinitas/San Diego, CA Periodontist Offers Better Gum Health
Taking action when you encounter common warning signs could protect smile stability. If you would like to find out more about preserving the health of your gum tissues, then please call Dr. Kania’s laser periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.