Periodontal or gum disease is an all too common, yet serious infection of the gums and bone that must be treated right away. Your Sacramento dentists at Midtown Dental focus on gum disease treatment to prevent patients from losing excessive bone and potentially teeth.
Periodontal Dentistry & Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection of the gum and bone, the tissues that support your teeth. As the gum tissues become damaged, pockets of infection form around them, becoming larger as the infection increases. In the pockets of infection, bacteria excrete toxins, which cause inflammation. As the infection progresses, the gum tissue and bone recede from the teeth and the teeth become loose and may fall out. Midtown Dental in Sacramento can help you alleviate the discomfort and problems associated with periodontal disease.
The stages of gum disease
- Gingivitis – This is a milder form of periodontal disease. It only affects the gums and is reversible.
- Periodontitis – This stage is a more serious periodontal disease that stems from Gingivitis and can extend into the bone. Periodontitis is one of the main causes of tooth loss.
Factors That Promote Gum Disease
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Systemic diseases such as diabetes
- Some types of medications such as steroids, some anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, calcium channel blockers, and oral contraceptives
- Crooked teeth
- Defective fillings
- Poor fitting Bridges/Crowns
- Pregnancy
Warning Signs of Gum Disease
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Gums that bleed easily
- Gums that have pulled away from teeth
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
- Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
- Any changes in your bite
- Any changes in the fit of your partial dentures
If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact your Sacramento dentist for an examination.
Treatment of Gum Disease
The treatment of gum disease depends on the type of gum disease and how far it has progressed. The primary objective is to control the infection, and the general success of the treatment will depend on the following:
- The severity of the gum disease
- The patient’s commitment to consistent oral hygiene at home
- How well the patient reduces the factors that promote gum disease
After an examination, Dr. Jenny Apekian at Midtown Dental in Sacramento will discuss the best options for treating your gum disease.
First off, Jenny and her staff is warm and kind. They didn’t “lecture” me about my gum disease diagnosis but instead just informed me about what to do and how deep cleanings would help stop the damage. I’m usually pretty sensitive about these kinds of things but they made me feel confident I could make my situation better.
Call today at (916) 441–5800 to learn more about our Periodontal Dentistry services.