By the most conservative estimates, 7 in 10 people will have gum disease in their lives. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control has reported that nearly half of all adults 30 years and older have periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease.
Your gums are just as important to your oral health as your teeth. If you are experiencing any symptoms of an infection, please place to visit our San Diego, CA dentist office for your gum disease treatment. At the office of Brian Davey, DDS, you will get the benefit of our complete health approach to dental care.
And you can regain your smile.
Call (858) 762-9991 to make an appointment with us.
What You Should Know
In a perfect world, everyone would brush their teeth twice daily, floss every day, and get regular professional dental cleanings and exams. This could prevent many cases of periodontal disease.
We also know that some people are more likely to develop gum infections than others. Genetics, having diabetes, and using tobacco are all risk factors that make people more likely to have periodontal problems.
In addition to practicing good preventive care, you can help yourself by being familiar with the signs of a gum problem.
First and foremost, healthy gums feel firm to the touch, look pink in color, and don’t bleed.
If your gums appear swollen, look redder than usual, or bleed when you brush or floss, then you may be in the early stages of gingivitis. This is a mild form of gum disease. By addressing this problem at this stage, you may be able to reverse your condition simply.
As the infection gets works, the bleeding may occur more easily. You might notice your gums are separating from your teeth. You also may develop bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth that never seems to go away.
Periodontal disease also can lead to loose teeth. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States.
What We Can Do
The treatment for gum disease will vary depending on how severe your condition is and on the bacteria that are causing your problem. At our office, we test the DNA from your mouth to identify the specific bacteria contributing to your problem.
With this information, we can determine the best way to treat your issue.
Perio Protect is a noninvasive option. As part of this procedure, you will receive custom-made trays that fit over your teeth. By putting germ-killing medication in the trays, you can fight the harmful bacteria at home.
For more advanced infections, we offer laser gum treatment. By using the laser, we can remove infected tissue and preserve more of your healthy tissue (when compared to gum surgery with a scalpel). The laser also seals the healthy tissue, so there is less bleeding. In most cases, sutures are not needed.
We may follow this will more traditional treatments, such as scaling and root planing. This can help your gums reattach to your teeth.
Restore Your Healthy Smile
Don’t risk losing your teeth to gum disease. Make preventive care your priority, and seek treatment as soon as you notice signs of an infection. Call the office of Brian Davey, DDS, at (858) 762-9991 or contact us online.
