Do Bleeding Gums Mean Periodontal Disease?

When you begin to notice that your gums bleed when you brush or floss, this could potentially mean serious gingivitis or even the early stages of gum disease. Which means periodontal treatment is necessary to protect your smile from uncomfortable symptoms or even tooth loss! In today’s blog, your Encinitas/San Diego, CA, periodontist talks about how we can protect your smile with laser dentistry.

The Causes of Periodontal Disease

What factors can lead to gum disease? Often gum inflammation, known as gingivitis, develops and grows in severity, until tissues pull away from the teeth and form pockets for disease-causing bacteria to enter, leading to periodontal disease. Gingivitis can be caused by poor brushing and flossing habits, or diets high in sugar and starch, which are major factors in the onset of plaque and tartar buildup which irritates the gum tissues. Tobacco use, a family history of the disease, inflammatory illnesses, or certain medications could be responsible as well.

Bleeding Gums and Other Symptoms

How do you know when to seek treatment from a periodontist? You may notice your gums feel sore or appear redder than usual. You may also experience bleeding when you brush and floss. Your tissue could also begin to recede, which makes teeth appear long. When these potential symptoms arise, call our team to schedule an appointment, so we can conduct a detailed diagnosis using advanced digital imagery. From there, we can create a treatment plan tailored to your smile. Gingivitis can be reversed but gum disease cannot, however, we can manage the issue to protect your smile from worsening symptoms or the risk of tooth loss.

Treatment with Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry is often used to treat the issue in the more severe stages. For example, with the LANAP procedure, we will use dental lasers to remove diseased tissues and allow healthy ones to reattach to the teeth, reducing the depth of periodontal pockets so the disease is more easily managed. With REPAIR with WaterLase, a laser and an accompanying stream of water will help trim away disease tissues so we can reshape the gum line and treat the disease. We can also use the technology in conjunction with the Pinhole Surgical Technique, providing a noninvasive solution to receding gums without the need for traditional grafts.

If you have any questions about how we can treat and manage the issue with our advanced technologies, then contact our team today to learn more.

Do You Need Periodontal Treatment?

Our team wants to help you enjoy good oral health and a full smile, which means preventing or managing periodontal disease. If you would like to find out more about our advanced technological treatment systems, then please call Dr. Kania’s laser periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.