Do you have gums that look red and feel sensitive, or possibly bleed? If so, these are examples of common periodontal disease symptoms, and signs that you need to seek treatment. In today’s blog, your Encinitas/San Diego, CA, periodontist talks about recognizing the symptoms of periodontal disease.
The Common Causes of Periodontal Disease
What causes the disease to form? We could develop this when our gums become inflamed. Also known as gingivitis, this could develop due to plaque and tartar buildup, which irritates the gum tissues. The buildup is often the result of a lot of sugar and starch in the diet and poor brushing and flossing habits. Other factors include a family history of poor gum health, the use of certain medications, and inflammatory illnesses. Tobacco use is also a factor. Without treatment to reverse gingivitis, the inflammation could grow more severe until tissues pull away from the teeth and form pockets at the gum line, which disease-causing bacteria can enter. The result is the onset of periodontal disease, which cannot be cured but requires care to avoid periodontitis, the stage linked to adult tooth loss!
The Symptoms to Recognize
You should contact us when you begin to experience common symptoms, such as sore, red, and bleeding gums. Swelling could also occur, and your tissue could even pull away from the teeth, the resulting recession making teeth appear long and uneven. When you begin to encounter one or more of these symptoms, you should reach out to our team right away. Our team can conduct a diagnosis with advanced imaging systems, so we can diagnose the cause and severity of the disease and plan treatment to improve your oral health and keep your smile whole.
Offering Care With Dental Lasers
If you see us in the earliest stages of periodontal disease, we may conduct a deep cleaning known as a scaling and root planing. This removes harmful buildup from the teeth and roots, and allows us to manage the disease moving forward with preventive and holistic treatments. But if you see us with a more involved case of gum disease, our team could use lasers to gently remove these tissues and allow healthy gums to attach to the teeth. We can reshape the gum line too, so your smile looks good following treatment. The technology also destroys pockets of harmful bacteria too! If you have any questions, contact our team.
Talk To Our Team About Symptoms and Treatments
We are ready to help you enjoy good oral health and a smile free of complications like periodontitis and tooth loss. To learn more about seeking treatment for gum disease, then schedule an appointment with our team, call Dr. Kania in Encinitas, CA, today at (760) 642-0711.