San Diego dentists Pacific Beach can check if you have gum disease.

Gum disease, if left untreated, can cause not only tooth loss, but also serious health issues throughout your body. Its main cause is bacterial plaque (the thin, sticky film that covers your teeth), but gum disease can also be caused by genetics, tobacco use, stress, medications, poor nutrition, and other factors. Red, swollen or bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, and bad breath are warning signs of gum disease. These signs may indicate that you have the mildest form of gum disease, gingivitis. With professional treatment and good oral hygiene, gingivitis is reversible.

What are Gingivitis and Periodontitis?

Gum disease is manifested in two forms:

• Gingivitis: The earliest stage of gum disease, causing an inflammation and some bleeding of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gumline. Gingivitis causes gum inflammation but no bone loss.
• Periodontitis: The second stage where the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are damaged causing bone damage and loss.

The Progression of Gum Disease

Periodontitis is a common complaint affecting approximately 50% of U.S. adults over the age of 30 years. It occurs in people who have preexisting gingivitis which is itself caused by the accumulation of bacteria at the gum line (dental plaque). Your gums may begin to form a pocket below the gumline, which traps food and plaque. If left untreated, plaque calcifies to form dental calculus. Top San Diego Dentist must remove dental calculus completely to treat gingivitis and periodontitis. Proper dental treatment and improved home care can usually help prevent further damage. If left untreated, bone supporting your teeth can be destroyed, causing your teeth to shift or loosen.

Treatment of Gum Disease

Top San Diego Dentist Dr. Sonny Aryan uses the following services and technologies to treat gum disease:

• CAVITRON ULTRASONIC INSTRUMENTATION – We use the most modern ultrasonic equipment available to remove plaque buildup quickly and comfortably.
• SOFT TISSUE THERAPY –  Our Top San Diego Dentist has been thoroughly trained to remove the bacterial ridden plaque and tartar deposits that colonize the roots during periodontal disease. This is the key to eliminating periodontal disease.

Prevention of Gum Disease

Daily oral hygiene is vital in preventing the onset and growth of gum disease. Brushing and flossing are vital in keeping teeth free from plaque-generating bacteria.

Why is Deep Tooth Cleaning Needed?

When there are deep pockets along the tooth roots due to bone recession it is impossible for the patient to properly clean and keep the gum tissue free of inflammation. A deep cleaning is necessary to remove the inflammation and debris and sometimes this would be done prior to gum surgery.

One’s patient testimonial:

I just had a deep cleaning on three quadrants by Dr. Sonny Aryan, San Diego Dentist. If you are told you need it, it’s because they need to get beneath the gums where you cannot reach with dental floss or toothbrush and where your regular hygienist usually doesn’t go when you get your teeth cleaned biannually. It didn’t hurt for me. In fact, I felt like my gums were getting massaged, and I liked that feeling. If your gums/teeth are more sensitive than mine, you can get anesthetic applied. It may take a little longer.  I would definitely recommend doing it to guard against further decay and gum disease. If you don’t do it, you take the risk of bacteria continuing to build, possible inflammation and tenderness, and then your body’s immune system reacting to the presence of bacteria. I have also had periodontal surgery, and you don’t want to go there!

To schedule a dental examination to survey for gum disease, call San Diego dentist.