Gum Disease Treatment in Elk Grove at Locascio Family Dentistry
Elk Grove, CA 95758 Directions (916) 683-4333
Gum disease treatment depends on the disease stage, oral and overall health. Nonsurgical and surgical methods exist.
Nonsurgical treatment includes. Scaling and root planing—deep cleaning of the teeth and roots—and possibly antibiotics.
Advanced cases have surgical options. Pocket reduction and guided tissue regeneration are surgical options. These procedures reduce pocket depths and regrow bone and tissue. Individual needs and conditions will dictate treatment.
It's essential to approach gum disease treatment with compassion and care, as it can be a source of stress and anxiety for those experiencing it. The good news is that gum disease is treatable with proper care and attention.
If you're experiencing any symptoms of gum disease, such as red or swollen gums, bleeding when brushing or flossing, or bad breath, don't wait to seek treatment. Early intervention can help prevent further damage and potentially save your teeth.
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
- Red, swollen, or tender gums: Healthy gums should be pink and feel firm. If your gums appear red, inflamed, or sensitive to touch, it could be a sign of gum disease.
- Bleeding gums: Gums that bleed during brushing, flossing, or even spontaneously are a common indication of gum disease. This bleeding is often due to the inflammation of the gum tissues.
- Receding gums: As gum disease progresses, the gums may start to pull away from the teeth, resulting in gum recession. This can make the teeth appear longer and expose the tooth roots.
- Persistent bad breath (halitosis): Gum disease can cause chronic bad breath that doesn't improve with regular oral hygiene practices or the use of mouthwash. The odor is often caused by bacteria accumulating in the gums and between the teeth.
- Loose or shifting teeth: Advanced gum disease can lead to the loss of the supporting structures around the teeth, including the bone and connective tissues. This can cause the teeth to feel loose or start shifting.
- Changes in the bite or the fit of dentures: Gum disease can affect the stability and alignment of the teeth, leading to noticeable changes in your bite or the way your dentures fit.
- Pus between the teeth and gums: In severe cases of gum disease, an infection may develop, resulting in pus or discharge between the teeth and gums.
- Gum sensitivity: Gum disease can make your gums more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, certain foods, or even gentle brushing.
- More on gum disease
What Are The Three Stages of Gum Disease?
Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease. Gingivitis develops as toxins, enzymes and other plaque byproducts by irritating the gums, making them tender, swollen and likely to bleed easily. Gingivitis generally can be stopped with proper oral hygiene and minor treatment from your dentist. If this is achieved, your gums can return to a healthy state.
Moderate gum disease is when the tooth's bone tissue starts to deteriorate. Periodontitis occurs when plaque byproducts destroy the tissues that anchor your teeth in the bone. The gums deteriorate and begin detaching themselves from the teeth forming gum pockets, which allows more plaque to collect below the gum line. This causes the roots of the teeth to become susceptible to decay. Generally, patients notice an increase in sensitivity to hot and cold and to touch.
Advanced periodontitis occurs when a major amount of gum and bone tissue has been lost and the teeth are losing more and more support due to the loss of periodontal ligament and bone. Some teeth are unable to be saved and must be extracted. If left untreated, advanced periodontitis can cause severe health problems elsewhere in the body.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is prevalent. Understanding the cause of Periodontal disease is key to maintaining good oral health.
So what's the cause? Poor oral hygiene results in an increase in oral bacteria, causing an inflammatory response. When we don't brush and floss, plaque, a thick film of microorganisms, builds up on our teeth. Tartar, which only a dentist can remove, forms from plaque. Pathogenic bacteria in plaque and tartar can worsen periodontal disease.
Bacteria also cause periodontal disease. Some mouth microorganisms can damage gums. These bacteria multiply and release toxins that inflame and infect the gingival tissues when plaque and tartar accumulate on the teeth.
Hormonal changes can make gums more susceptible to disease. Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause can affect gum blood flow and the body's response to bacterial plaque. This increases gum inflammation and infection.
Medications may also cause periodontal disease. Oral contraceptives, immunosuppressants, and anticonvulsants may cause unusual gingival tissue growth, parched mouth, or immune system changes, making the gums more susceptible to infection.
Periodontal disease is more likely in people with systemic diseases. Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and leukemia weaken the body's defenses against infections, including periodontal infections. Periodontal disease can also be caused by cancer treatments and organ transplants that slow healing.
Genetics also affect susceptibility to periodontal disease. Some people are genetically predisposed to periodontal disease. Some genetic variations alter the immune system's response to microbes, making some people susceptible to periodontal disease.
Periodontal (Gum) DiseaseStudies Have Shown Links between Periodontal (gum) disease, Heart Disease and Other Health Conditions.
Research further suggests that gum disease may be a more serious risk for heart disease, more so than hypertension, smoking, cholesterol, gender or age.
Researcher's conclusions suggest that bacteria present in infected gums can become loose and move throughout the body through the bloodstream. Once bacteria reaches the arteries, they can irritate them in the same way that they irritate gum tissue causing arterial plaque, which can cause hardening and affect blood-flow.
NIH — Prevalence of periodontal disease, its association with systemic diseases and preventionWhat's Involved With A Root Planing Procedure?
Each person's oral health is unique and the stage and current condition of the teeth and gums will dictate how involved a deep cleaning is as well as how long it takes to heal. Usually a deep cleaning is done one-half of the mouth at a time and healing takes about a day or two.
During a deep cleaning we will numb the areas of your gums where we are working, which will keep you from feeling any discomfort during the procedure. Using a special tool, we will remove any tartar build up that is found on tooth roots below the gumline and we ensure the tooth root gets a smooth finish to allow the gum tissues to start re-attaching itself. Our office uses a special ultrasonic tool that will ensure the quickest and most comfortable deep cleaning as possible and is something some other dental offices do not offer. After your root planing procedure, you may be recommended to take a medication to help control soreness from the procedure, keep away infections and to promote healing.
Elk Grove's Best Laser Treatment for Gum Disease
Introducing the Laser Soft System: A Revolutionary Solution for Gum Disease Treatment at Locascio Family Dentistry in Elk Grove, California!
Have you had enough of the pain and inconvenience of periodontal disease treatments? Do you wish there was an easy method to restore the health of your gums? Now there is! Locascio Family Dentistry in Elk Grove, California, is now offering the Laser Soft System, a revolutionary new approach to gum disease treatment.
Non-Invasive Treatment: Say goodbye to standard periodontal surgery! With Laser Soft System, scalpels and sutures are obsolete. This innovative technique employs cutting-edge laser technology to treat periodontal disease without incisions, resulting in a gentle and painless experience.
Rapid Recovery: Forget about prolonged recuperation periods! Laser Soft System facilitates accelerated healing with minimal discomfort. By precisely targeting infected gingival tissue, it reduces the need for extensive removal allowing your mouth to heal more rapidly.
The Ultimate Precision Targeting: The Laser Soft System targets explicitly and removes bacteria, plaque, and infected tissue from your gums while preserving healthy tissue. This precision ensures efficient treatment and promotes a more rapid healing process.
Enhanced Comfort: With Dr. Locascio Laser Soft System, you can say goodbye to the anxiety associated with gum disease treatments. This method's non-invasive nature provides patients with a more tranquil and comfortable experience, allowing you to feel comfortable throughout your procedure.
Are you eager to embrace the future of periodontal disease therapy? Schedule an appointment with our experienced dental team at Locascio Family Dentistry to take the first step towards a healthier, more confident smile. Our experts will will evaluate your oral health, answer your questions, and offer individualized treatment options.