At Pro Smile Dental Care, we offer state-of-the-art gum disease treatments in San Ramon. It might seem like just a little blood in the sink or temporary bad breath. Why risk it? Let us help you get on top of the small issues and treat the big ones to protect your teeth and your overall health.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a serious type of gum infection. Food particles, plaque, and tartar build up around your gums, and in between your teeth, encourage harmful bacteria to grow. As these germs grow and spread they can cause swelling, pain, and even tooth loss. Many factors can up your chance of developing periodontal disease.
- Smoking Or Chewing Tobacco
- Poor Oral Hygiene
- Vitamin Deficiencies
- Crooked Teeth
- Taking Certain Prescription Medications
- Having A Family History Of Gum Disease
Types Of Gum Disease
If you notice puffiness, redness, or soreness in the spaces between your teeth, you may have gingivitis. Gingivitis is an early-stage form of gum disease that is usually reversible. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress into periodontitis. Periodontitis is a much more severe condition that can lead to bone loss, tooth loss, and even jaw damage.
According to the CDC, chronic periodontal disease affects nearly half of adults over age 30 and around 70% of adults over 65 in the United States.
Gum Disease Symptoms
- Gums That Bleed Easily
- Swollen & Tender Gums
- Reddish/Purplish Gums
- Gum Recession
- Bleeding After Brushing Or Flossing
- Increased Tooth Sensitivity
- Loose Teeth
- Chronic Bad Breath & Bad Taste
Treatments & Care
The type of treatment that works best for you will largely depend on how severe your gum disease is. It’s essential that you take care of your gums by brushing and flossing regularly and visiting a dentist at least twice a year.
We can treat many cases with a professional dental cleaning, antibiotics, and other noninvasive options.
- Scaling & Root Planing – Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical deep cleaning procedure that is done under a local anesthetic. Unlike with routine dental cleaning, deep cleaning reaches under the gum line. Scaling involves scraping plaque and tartar out of the gum pockets. Root planing smooths out the roots of your teeth in order to remove bacteria and help the roots reattach to your gums.
- Prescription Medication – Oral antibiotics can help kill the bacteria that are attacking your gums. Antibiotic gel-filled caps can also be placed under your gums after a deep cleaning procedure.
- Flap Surgery – In this procedure, your gums will be temporarily lifted back. This lets us remove more tartar, smooth out bone irregularities, and reduce the size of pockets where bacteria can grow.
- Soft Tissue Graft – This surgical procedure involves taking tissue from a soft area, such as the roof of your mouth. We use this tissue to fill in areas where your gums have receded or degenerated.
- Bone Graft – This is a type of surgery that takes fragments of real or synthetic bone and attaches it to areas where your bone has been damaged
- Laser Treatments – In this type of procedure, your dentist will use a laser to kill bacteria and remove infected gum tissue. The laser can even stimulate stem cells, encouraging the growth of new, healthier tissues.
Get Gum Care In San Ramon
Our caring and considerate staff at Pro Smile Dental Care take pride in putting our patients’ needs first. We will happily explain technical information regarding your treatment in a manner that is easy to understand. We make sure you are comfortable and at ease. Call our office today to schedule an appointment to treat, diagnose, and prevent gum disease.
