Comprehensive Periodontal Care From Your Trusted family dentist cudahy ca
Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, is an infection and inflammation of the tissues that support your teeth. It is often associated with plaque and tartar buildup and can develop gradually without obvious symptoms.
When gum disease is left untreated, it can damage the gums and the bone supporting your teeth and may eventually lead to loose teeth or tooth loss.
At St James Dental Group, we evaluate your gum health as part of your dental care and provide periodontal treatment based on your individual needs. Our goal is to help control gum disease, protect the structures supporting your teeth, and help you maintain your natural smile.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Plaque is one of the primary causes of gum disease. Plaque is a sticky film containing bacteria that continually forms on your teeth.
When plaque isn’t removed effectively, it can harden into tartar, also called calculus. Tartar can accumulate along and below the gumline and contribute to inflammation and infection.
Other factors can increase your risk of developing gum disease, including:
- Inadequate oral hygiene
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Diabetes
- Certain medications
- Hormonal changes, including pregnancy and menopause
- Certain medical conditions
- Genetic factors
Your individual risk depends on your oral health, overall health, and other factors
What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?
Possible signs include:
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Red or swollen gums
- Tender or sensitive gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Gum recession
- Teeth that appear longer than they used to
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Changes in the way your teeth fit together
- Pus around the gums
If you notice these symptoms, don’t wait for them to become worse. A dental evaluation can help determine whether gum disease is present and how advanced it may be.
Gingivitis vs. Periodontitis
Gum disease can range from early inflammation to more advanced periodontal disease.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease. The gums may become red, swollen, or bleed easily.
With appropriate professional care, regular dental cleaning appointments and improved oral hygiene, gingivitis can often be reversed before permanent damage occurs.
Periodontitis
If gum disease progresses, it can develop into periodontitis, which affects the tissues and bone supporting the teeth.
Periodontitis can result in loss of bone and attachment around the teeth. While periodontal disease can often be treated and controlled, damage that has already occurred may not naturally repair itself.
Early diagnosis and treatment are therefore important.
How Is Gum Disease Treated?
Treatment depends on the severity of the disease and your individual needs.
At dental office near Cudahy CA, periodontal treatment is completely personalized and may include scaling and root planing, Arestin, and periodontal maintenance.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing, sometimes called a deep cleaning, removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline.
The root surfaces are also carefully cleaned to remove bacterial deposits and help create a healthier environment for the gums.
Scaling and root planing is commonly used when gum disease has progressed beyond gingivitis.
Arestin®
In some cases, we may use Arestin®, an antibiotic treatment that is placed directly into certain periodontal pockets.
Arestin may be used as part of periodontal treatment along with scaling and root planing when appropriate.
Periodontal Maintenance
After active periodontal treatment, regular periodontal maintenance visits can help control gum disease and maintain the health of your gums.
Because periodontal disease can be a chronic condition, ongoing professional care and good home oral hygiene are important for keeping it under control.
Can Gum Disease Be Prevented?
Good oral hygiene and regular professional dental care can help reduce your risk of developing gum disease and allow problems to be detected earlier.
As a dedicated and affordable dentist Cudahy CA residents turn to for preventative wellness, we recommend a dental cleaning and examination schedule based strictly on your individual oral health rather than a one-size-fits-all approach
At home, we recommend:
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily
- Clean carefully along the gumline
- Limit frequent sugary foods and drinks
- Avoid smoking and tobacco products
- Maintain your recommended dental appointments
If you have diabetes or another medical condition that may affect your oral health, maintaining good communication with your healthcare providers and dental team is also important.
Gum Disease and Your Overall Health
Your oral health is an important part of your overall health.
Research has found associations between periodontal disease and several systemic health conditions, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, these relationships are complex, and gum disease should not be described as directly causing these conditions.
Maintaining healthy gums is an important part of taking care of your overall health.
What Happens If Gum Disease Isn’t Treated?
Untreated periodontal disease can continue to damage the tissues supporting your teeth.
Over time, this may lead to:
- Increasing gum inflammation
- Gum recession
- Loss of supporting bone
- Loose teeth
- Changes in your bite
- Tooth loss
The earlier gum disease is identified and treated, the better the opportunity to control it and protect your natural teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Disease
Does gum disease hurt?
Not necessarily. Gum disease can develop with little or no pain, which is one reason regular dental examinations are important.
Can gum disease be cured?
Early gum inflammation, or gingivitis, can often be reversed with appropriate treatment and improved oral hygiene. Periodontitis can generally be treated and managed, although bone and attachment lost from periodontal disease will not naturally grow back.
What is a deep cleaning?
A deep cleaning usually refers to scaling and root planing. It involves removing plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline and cleaning the root surfaces.
What is Arestin?
Arestin is an antibiotic medication that can be placed into certain periodontal pockets as part of periodontal treatment. It may be used along with scaling and root planing when appropriate.
Will I need periodontal maintenance after treatment?
Patients who have been treated for periodontal disease often benefit from ongoing periodontal maintenance. We will recommend an appropriate schedule based on your individual condition.
Can gum disease cause tooth loss?
Yes. Untreated periodontal disease can damage the supporting tissues and bone around your teeth and will eventually result in tooth loss.
How can I tell if I have gum disease?
You may notice bleeding gums, swelling, bad breath, gum recession, or loose teeth, but gum disease can also have few noticeable symptoms. A professional evaluation is the best way to determine whether periodontal disease is present.
.
⭐ Patient Trust
120+ 5-star reviews
Serving Cudahy since 1997
Gentle, conservative dental care
Family-focused practice
Read what our patients are saying about St James Dental Group.
Take Care of Your Gum Health
If you have bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth, or haven’t had your gum health evaluated recently, we can help.
Call St James dental Group, your dentist in Cudahy CA at (323) 771-7254 to come in for a full check up which includes evaluation of gum disease and your periodontal health.
Our goal is to help you control gum disease, protect your natural teeth, and maintain healthy gums and a healthy smile.