Without routine care, people in North Hollywood, CA, could find their gums afflicted with a serious disease. Periodontal disease is linked to tooth loss, discomfort, and poor overall oral health, including cardiovascular and inflammatory illnesses. But what steps can people take to keep their gums free of disease?

The Causes of Periodontal Disease

How does our smile develop gum disease? The problem starts with inflammation, also known as gingivitis. When our gums develop inflammation and don’t receive treatment, then the issue could cause the tissue to pull from the teeth, forming pockets at the gum line. Once bacteria invade these pockets, periodontal disease forms. The factors behind inflammation could include smoking and tobacco use, family history of the disease, inflammatory illnesses, certain medications, and most commonly, poor oral hygiene. When we don’t care for our smiles, plaque can coat the teeth and eventually, irritate and inflame the gum tissue. If you begin to notice redness or soreness in your gums, or if they bleed easily when you brush and floss, then please let us know. Gingivitis can be reversed and if you have gum disease, then we can manage the disease to prevent tooth loss.

Treatment Options

For minor cases of gingivitis and gum disease, we may perform a scaling and root planing. Treatment involves the dentist removing all plaque from the surface of the teeth and roots with an ultrasonic scaling device. Some cases only require one visit, but severe buildup could need two to four visits to complete. Afterward, we polish the teeth to ensure a brighter appearance. If you have more severe cases, then we may need to remove infected gum tissue or use gum grafting to restore them, enabling healthy tissue to attach to the teeth.

Preventive Care

To prevent periodontal disease, or to manage it following a scaling and root planing, we may suggest a cleaning every few months. The cleaning removes all plaque and tartar from the teeth, which controls inflammation and for healthy patients, helps prevent the disease from occurring. At home, you should take time to brush twice a day for two minutes and floss every night before going to bed. These actions remove food particles and limit the risk of gingivitis. You should also avoid cigarettes and other tobacco products. If you have any questions about keeping your smile healthy and free of disease, then contact our team today.

Do Your Gums Need Treatment?

Redness, soreness, swelling, and bleeding could all indicate the need for periodontal care. For more information on our approach to preventive and holistic dentistry, schedule a consultation by calling Modern Smile in North Hollywood, CA, today at 818-763-9353. We also proudly serve patients who live in Burbank, Toluca Lake, and all surrounding communities.