Understanding The Dangers Of Gum Disease

Periodontal disease is a very widespread concern, one that impacts half of smiles in people ages 35 and older. Without care, this can change the appearance of your smile and lead to tooth loss. In today’s blog, your Encinitas/San Diego, CA, periodontist talks about recognizing the presence of gum disease.

The Causes of Periodontal Disease

What causes the disease to form in our smiles? For some, this could be due to poor oral hygiene habits, which create plaque buildup that irritates and inflames the gums. Examples include lack of proper brushing and flossing, a diet high in sugar and starch, and infrequent visits to your general dentist for dental cleanings. Other factors include the use of cigarettes and other tobacco products, a family history of the disease, and the presence of inflammatory illnesses or the use of certain medications. As part of your treatment, we will examine the smile to assess the cause and severity of the disease!

The Symptoms and Complications

What symptoms should you be aware of? Watch for gums that appear redder than normal or feel sore. Bleeding when you brush and floss could indicate the presence of periodontal disease, as could recession that makes teeth appear long or uneven. Without treatment, the disease continues to grow in severity, which could eventually mean the onset of periodontitis, the stage linked to adult tooth loss. This occurs as the disease weakens and erodes the underlying tissues and bone structure. But our team can help with laser dentistry!

Treatment with Laser Dentistry

With procedures like LANAP and REPAIR with WaterLase, our team can employ advanced laser dentistry to gently trim away the diseased portions of the tissues, and help healthy ones reattach to the teeth. The lasers can target the diseased portions with precision to protect healthy structures, and can destroy harmful bacteria in the process. The technology is comfortable and you may not even require anesthesia. The use of dental lasers also reduces the risks of bleeding, swelling, and infection! You enjoy a comfortable and precise means of managing the disease.

If you lose teeth to periodontitis, we can discuss replacement with lifelike and long-lasting dental implants! If you have any questions about how we treat and manage issues like gum disease, or if you have symptoms that need attention, then contact our team today to learn more.

Do You Have Questions About Periodontal Disease?

Keeping your gums healthy keeps your smile whole and beautiful, and we can help with advanced technology. If you would like to find out more about our laser treatment options and help keep your smile whole, then please call Dr. Kania’s laser periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.