Gum Disease
Coronado, CA
Solutions for gum disease can help restore your overall oral health. Gum disease is largely preventable. However, if treatment is needed, you will need to see a dental professional.
Solutions for gum disease are available at Coronado Dentistry & Pediatrics in Coronado and the surrounding area. Take the first step toward recovery. Call us today at (619) 354-5136 to schedule an appointment and learn more.
Understanding Gum Disease
According to the American Dental Association, gum disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is not always accompanied by pain—meaning that patients may not even know that they have it.
Usually, gum disease is caused by a poor oral hygiene routine that allows an excess of plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) to build up on the teeth. When plaque hardens under the gumline into tartar, it becomes more difficult to remove. At this point, the patient will be unable to remove the plaque and tartar without professional dental cleaning.
“Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease or periodontitis, is not always accompanied by pain—meaning that patients may not even know that they have it.”
Preventing Gum Disease
Most cases of gum disease are caused by poor oral hygiene. Unsurprisingly, maintaining a good oral hygiene routine is one of the first lines of defense in protecting oneself against gum disease. Patients should brush their teeth for two minutes at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Flossing before brushing is imperative, as this allows the patient to clean away any loosened food particles and bacteria. Routine dental visits are also key in preventing gum disease, especially for patients already at risk of developing gum disease. These patients include those who smoke, take certain medications, or suffer from dry mouth. Ideally, patients should have their teeth professionally cleaned every six to 12 months.
“Most cases of gum disease are caused by poor oral hygiene.”
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gum disease may go unnoticed for some time, especially as it is not always accompanied by pain. Even symptoms in the late stages of gum disease can be very subtle. It is crucial for patients to know the signs of gum disease, so they know how to identify them. Common symptoms of gum disease include but are not limited to:
- Changes in the bite
- Changes in the fit of partial dentures
- Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
- Gums that bleed after and during brushing teeth
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Persistent bad breath or taste in the mouth
- Receding gums
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
Patients may still be afflicted by gum disease even without these symptoms. Some people, for instance, may only have gum disease that affects certain teeth. Our team can help identify any dental problems you may have.
“It is crucial for patients to know the signs of gum disease, so they know how to identify them.”
Treating Gum Disease
The earlier signs of gum disease are detected, the less invasive treatment procedures are. These may include antibiotics, root planing, and scaling. Antibiotics can help control infection and can be administered either topically or orally. Root scaling and planing are often performed together. While root planing smoothes the root surfaces to remove bacteria and discourage further buildup, root scaling removes tartar and bacteria from the tooth surfaces and beneath the gums.
More advanced gum disease may require more invasive solutions, such as oral surgery. Treatments may involve bone grafting, guided tissue regeneration, pocket reduction surgery (also known as flap surgery), soft tissue grafts, and tissue-stimulating proteins. Bone grafting and guided tissue regeneration may help promote bone regeneration. Pocket reduction surgery may allow for more effective root scaling and planing, while soft tissue grafts may reinforce damaged soft tissue. Finally, tissue-stimulating proteins may help stimulate the growth of healthy bone and tissue.
“The earlier signs of gum disease are detected, the less invasive treatment procedures are.”
Gum Disease Statistics
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half of all American adults suffer from some form of periodontal disease. This number increases with age, with 70% of adults 65 years and older reporting to have the condition. Furthermore, it is more common among men than women. To address such problems, the CDC is working with organizations like the American Academy of Periodontology and the American Dental Association to "improve and sustain surveillance of periodontal disease in the adult U.S. population."
“According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half of all American adults suffer from some form of periodontal disease.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Frequently Asked Questions
New patients and emergency appointments welcome
Gum Disease Terminology
Chronic Periodontitis
Chronic periodontitis is the most common form of periodontitis, involving inflammation of the tissue surrounding the teeth and pockets forming as well.
Gingival Flap Surgery
Gingival flap surgery is a procedure in which the periodontist separates the gums from the teeth temporarily to reach the root of the tooth and nearby bone.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
Necrotizing Periodontal Disease
Necrotizing periodontal disease is an infection that causes lesions to form on the face and other symptoms due to the necrosis of gingival tissues, periodontal ligaments and alveolar bone.
Periapical Cyst
A periapical cyst is a pathological cavity, roots of the teeth, that typically has epithelium in the lining and contains fluid or soft matter.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a serious inflammation of the gingival tissues and the periodontal membrane of the teeth that causes pain and helps form deeper gingival sulcus.
Periodontal Ligament
Periodontal ligaments are a group of tissue fibers that help attach the tooth to the alveolar bone, which can sustain damage from gum disease or improper oral hygiene.
Periodontal Pocket
A periodontal pocket is a potential area of space, known as a gingival sulcus, which is deeper than normal and can contain bacteria that cause an infection.
Periodontal Surgery
Periodontal surgery is the treatment of extreme levels of periodontal disease that can involve multiple techniques to remove the inflamed tissue and infection before it spreads.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical therapy that involves the removal of dental plaque in hard to reach places with patients who do not take proper care of their teeth.