How Does Gum Disease Threaten Your Smile?

Periodontal disease is a serious threat to your smile. The disease could cause uncomfortable symptoms and is even the leading factor behind adult tooth loss. But our team can take on the disease with advanced laser technology! In today’s blog, your Encinitas/San Diego, CA, periodontist talks about the threats periodontal disease causes and how we help.

The Causes of Periodontal Disease

What causes periodontal disease to develop and how does this threaten your smile’s stability? The trouble starts with various factors causing inflammation, or gingivitis. This could be due to poor brushing and flossing habits, plaque and tartar buildup, a family history of the disease, inflammatory illnesses, or even the use of tobacco products or certain medications. When the gums become inflamed, they need treatment to reverse this, otherwise the gums will pull from the teeth to form pockets along the gum line, allowing harmful oral bacteria to enter them and cause periodontal disease. At this point there is no cure for the disease, but we can manage it to keep your smile healthy and whole!

Threats to Your Smile                 

Over time, as the disease increases in severity, the tissues connecting your teeth and gums can become severed, which leads to loose and missing teeth. With missing teeth comes a weakened jaw and a greater risk for further tooth loss and an older appearance. Which is why when you first experience the potential symptoms of the issue, we want you to see us right away. Call our team if you notice your gums appear redder than normal, or if they sore or bleed easily when you brush or floss. Recession could also occur, which makes the teeth appear longer.

Help With Laser Dentistry

Our team can offer help with comfortable and precise laser technology. With dental lasers, we can gently remove the diseased portions of the gums so healthy ones can attach to the teeth. We can reshape the gum line for better symmetry, and destroy pockets of harmful bacteria. The treatment takes one visit, and the lack of scalpels and sutures means the area heals quickly. Lasers reduce the risk of bleeding, swelling, and infection, and they are comfortable, rarely requiring the use of anesthesia.

If you have any questions about how to recognize and seek treatment for gum disease, or if you have questions about laser dentistry, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you enjoy a full and beautiful smile for years to come!

Schedule Your Appointment for Periodontal Treatment

Our team wants to help treat and manage the issue to protect your smile from oral health threats. To learn more about how we manage your periodontal disease, call Dr. Ann Kania in Encinitas, CA, today at 760-642-0711.