Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal or gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. An estimated 80 percent of adults have some form of periodontal disease, but do not know it because there is no pain associated with mild forms of this disease.

How Periodontal Disease Forms

Gum disease is caused by bacteria, which combines with mucus and other particles to form a sticky, colorless "plaque" on your teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque, but if the plaque hardens it can form tartar that will not respond to brushing. Only a professional cleaning by your general dentist will remove tartar.

Gingivitis and Periodontitis

If tartar is not removed, the bacteria can cause your gums to become swollen and bleed easily. When this occurs, you are entering the first stage of gum disease: gingivitis. This mild form of gum disease can be reversed by a professional cleaning, along with good oral hygiene habits of regular brushing and flossing. If you do not treat gingivitis, it will develop into the more severe periodontitis. This advanced stage of gum disease is characterized by gums that pull away from your teeth, forming pockets that can allow bacteria to collect below the gum line. Ultimately, your teeth will become loose as the bones, gums and tissues are destroyed. The final outcome is tooth loss.

Periodontal Treatment

The most important thing to remember is that periodontal disease is preventable and treatable. Good oral hygiene, regular brushing and flossing, along with a balanced diet can help protect your mouth against this detrimental disease. If you do have periodontal disease, a professional dental cleaning will be performed, which may include:

• An evaluation to determine the extent of your disease.
• Scraping below your gums (called scaling) to remove the built-up tartar under your gums and reduce inflammation and infection.
• Root planing to smooth your root surfaces that become roughened by scaling.

Scaling and root planing allow your gum tissue to heal and reattach to your teeth. At Aesthetic Dentistry of Valencia, we use laser periodontal technology to restore your oral health painlessly and effectively without the use of surgical instruments.

If you live in Valencia, California or the surrounding area, and believe you can benefit from periodontal treatment, please contact Aesthetic Dentistry of Valencia to discuss what we can do for you. We offer free consultations so please contact our dental practice today.