Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is a severe infection of the gums and bone. It is caused by harmful bacteria accumulated on your teeth and gums. As periodontitis progresses, your oral structures can suffer damage.
But the good news is that if periodontitis is addressed in its initial stages and efficient oral hygiene is followed, the damage can be reversed. At LALA Dental in Lafayette, California, Dr. Meshkin provides comprehensive periodontal care that will help you maintain a healthy, disease-free mouth.
What Are the Symptoms of Periodontal Disease?
Periodontitis begins as gingivitis which causes inflammation of the gums. The first sign of gingivitis is gum bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth. Other symptoms of periodontal disease include:
- Toothache or foul breath
- Changes in your teeth positions
- Loose teeth or receding gums
- Tender, red, or swollen gums
- Plaque or tartar buildup on your teeth
- Tooth loss
- Inflammatory sensations throughout your body
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling is advanced teeth cleaning above and below the gum line to remove plaque and tartar deposits, especially from the deep periodontal pockets. Based on your needs, an ultrasonic instrument is used to assist this process. Root planing smoothes the root's surface to prevent plaque, tartar, and bacteria from sticking to it.
Medication
To control the bacterial infection, Dr. Meshkin may prescribe topical or oral antibiotic medications, including a mouth rinse or an oral gel.
Soft Tissue Grafts
The gum line can shrink when you lose gum tissue. You may need to have some of the soft tissue reinforced or strengthened. This is usually performed by removing a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth or using tissue from a donor source and fixing it to the affected area. A soft tissue graft can help minimize further gum loss and conceal the unprotected roots to keep you smiling.
Bone Grafting
This procedure is performed when periodontitis has compromised the bone surrounding the tooth's roots. The graft may consist of tiny fragments of your bone or a prosthetic one. A bone graft helps prevent tooth loss by keeping your teeth in position. It also helps with the regrowth of your natural bone.
Flap Surgery
In this surgery, tiny incisions are made in your gum so that a portion of gum tissue can be uncovered, exposing the roots for a more efficient scaling and root planing process. As periodontitis often causes bone loss, the underlying bone may be reshaped before the gum tissue is stitched back in place. This makes cleaning these areas more manageable and helps maintain healthy gum tissue.
To learn more about our periodontal disease treatments, visit the LALA Dental office at 895 Moraga Rd Suite 6, Lafayette, CA 94549. You can also reach Dr. Meshkin in Lafayette, CA, at (925) 385-8858.
