How To Recognize Periodontal Disease

What do you know about gum disease? This disease impacts millions of smiles, including half of those 30 and older. Without treatment, this could cause issues with your smile’s stability. Which is why recognizing the symptoms is so important! In today’s blog, your Encinitas/San Diego, CA, periodontist talks about recognizing periodontal disease.

The Underlying Causes

How does periodontal disease actually develop? Initially, the issue starts as gingivitis, or gum inflammation. The inflammation can be caused by plaque and tartar buildup, which itself is caused by poor oral hygiene habits and a diet high in sugar and starch. The buildup irritates and inflames the tissues. Other factors include inflammatory illnesses, certain medications, and a family history of the disease. Tobacco use could be a factor as well. Without treatment to reverse gingivitis, this eventually causes gum tissues to pull away from the teeth and form pockets. When disease-causing bacteria enter the side pockets, the disease develops. There is no cure, but treatment to manage it and prevent complications like tooth loss.

Possible Symptoms

You may first notice your gums appearing redder than usual. They can also feel sore and may bleed easily when you brush and floss. As the issue grows in severity, you could experience gum recession, in which the gums pull back and the teeth appear longer, which exposes root portions and could lead to worsening disease and dental infection. When you notice changes to your gingival tissues, let us know right away.

Seeking Treatment

Our team will start by carefully examining your smile and using advanced imaging technology to identify the early stages of the issue, and assess the overall severity too. Once we do, our team can create a treatment plan to correct the issue and protect your oral health. In the early stages, we could recommend a deep cleaning to remove all plaque and tartar, and possibly holistic options like Ozone Therapy to better manage it. For more severe cases, we could employ advanced dental lasers to remove diseased tissues with precision, and help facilitate treatment like gum grafts. We can also prepare your smile for dental implants to replace what’s been lost, using lasers to aid in grafting and sinus lifts as needed.

If you have any questions about periodontal disease, or about when to seek treatment, then give our team a call today. In the meantime, you can help protect your smile with a healthier diet and daily brushing and flossing.

Your Encinitas/San Diego, CA Periodontist Provides Healthier Smiles

We’re ready to help you enjoy optimal oral health and a full smile and periodontal care. If you would like to find out more about protecting your health, then please call Dr. Kania’s laser periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.