Gum Disease
in Pasadena, CA
GINGIVITIS
Gum disease begins when plaque, a sticky deposit on the teeth where bacteria multiply by metabolizing food particles on the surfaces of your teeth. Calcium from saliva hardens the plaque into a barnacle-like material called tartar(calculus). Specific types of germs that thrive in this plaque and calculus damage gum tissue and excrete toxins that enter the blood stream. Your body tries to fight this infection with an inflammatory attack, sending white blood cells to the area to destroy the bacteria. The inflammation then causes the tissue to bleed easily when you brush or floss.
PERIODONTITIS
If untreated, gingivitis will then progress to periodontitis. With periodontitis, calculus deposits expand on the surface of your teeth, edging down below your gum line. This condition causes your gums to separate (loosen) slightly from the teeth, supporting bone and ligament, forming periodontal pockets. The infection and the pockets may continue to deepen, eating away at the jawbone until your teeth become loose and fall out.
Untreated chronic periodontitis can often have more systemic effects, including increased risks of...
- cardiovascular disease
- diabetes
- respiratory diseases and infections
- pregnancy complications
- Alzheimer's disease
How is Periodontal
Disease Treated?
One
Dr. Jin and his team of hygienists will perform Scaling and Root Planingto remove bacterial and hardened calculus below the gum line under localanesthesia to ensure your comfort. A specialized dental laser will then be used to kill the remaining bacterial cells under the gumline and in difficult-to-reach areas within the mouth. Finally, an anti-microbial medication will be applied to all treated areas to ensure proper healing and recovery. Specific personalized home care instructions will be given following all gum disease treatment.
Two
You’ll then come in for follow-up appointments to evaluate your response to treatment. A personalized periodontal maintenance schedule will be made to ensure optimal oral health. We typically recommend all patients treated for periodontal disease to come back every 3-4 months to maintain proper gum health.
The Benefits of
Controlling Gum Disease
Disease prevention
Periodontal disease doesn’t just affect your gums. Studies have linked it to a number of diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and more. Controlling gum disease helps you stave off these systemic diseases.
Decreased risk of Alzheimer’s
Large-scale studies have linked gum disease with a greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Treating gum disease is one thing you can do to reduce your overall risk of this devastating disease.
Decreased risk of infections or abscesses
Untreated gum disease can lead to gum infections or abscesses that are painful and potentially dangerous to your overall health. Proper periodontal care will decrease these risks.
Improved breath
A little-known fact about gum disease? It can give you bad breath that doesn’t go away when you brush, swish mouthwash or pop a breath mint. Keeping your gum disease under control restores the health of your mouth and, in turn, improves your breath.
Decreased risk of gum and bone recession
Gum disease can lead to jawbone recession or loss, altering the way you eat, chew, and smile. This can also contribute to ongoing pain and discomfort. Do away with these unfortunate effects with proper periodontal care.
Improved quality of life and longevity
We’re learning more and more each day about the connections between gum disease and many other disease systems. By controlling your gum disease and improving the health of your gums, you improve your overall health and boost your longevity.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Can gum disease be cured?
Gum disease occurs in several different stages: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. When you’re dealing with only the first stage (gingivitis), it is possible to reverse this damage. Once you’ve advanced into periodontitis, however, it can only be controlled, not eliminated completely.
What are the warning signs of gum disease?
The warning signs of gum disease will vary by patient, but in general, here are some things to watch out for:
- Swollen, puffy gums
- Pain when you chew or brush your teeth
- Gums that bleed easily, or noticing blood after brushing
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth or missing teeth
- Changes in how your teeth fit together
- Persistent bad breath
If you suspect you’re facing the start of gum disease, contact our office today. Whether you have the beginning stages of gum disease or more advanced cases, we’re here to help you determine the best treatment plan for you.