What causes gum disease?
When tartar and bacteria build up along the gum line, gum disease starts, causing inflammation, redness and swelling. It’s often referred to as gingivitis at this early stage. The bacteria can multiply without treatment, releasing toxins that cause the gum tissue to recede or pull away from the tooth, creating openings that allow the lower portions of the tooth to invade the bacteria and tartar.
They can enter the tooth root over time causing the root to become loose and weak and ultimately leading to tooth loss. The more advanced type of gum disease is called periodontitis, and in American adults, it is the leading cause of tooth loss.
How is periodontitis treated?
Special cleaning methods called scaling and planing (sometimes referred to as root planing) are used to clean the area of the tooth below the gum line and rid the root area of harmful bacteria. Scaling uses special equipment below the gum line and around the root region to extract bacteria and hard tartar. Planing smooths out rough areas on the surface of the tooth where bacteria can more easily bind themselves. To kill bacteria that are hard to reach, antibiotics may also be added to the region or taken orally.
What if I just have mild gum disease?
Having extra regular cleanings combined with improved brushing and flossing techniques could be appropriate for gingivitis to avoid the progression of the disease and prevent damage to your gums and teeth. Your gums will be checked for symptoms of gum disease during your office visit to decide if you need extra cleaning appointments or whether you need to change the way you brush and floss. The hygienist will give you advice about how to properly clean places that might be lacking, so that between office visits you can keep your teeth and gums as safe as possible.
Are there non-surgical options to treat my gum disease?
A nonsurgical treatment for gum disease is provided by Encino Dream Smile. This Treatment is designed for patients to control the growth of bacteria, and preserve oral health.
A tray of non-invasive chemical solutions is used, to minimalism the growth of bacteria from the periodontal pocket and help disrupt the growth of bacteria. Visit here for more information.