Periodontitis/Gum disease treatment in Santa Clarita, CA

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What Is Gum Disease?

In essence, gum disease is an infection that affects both your gums and the bone that supports your teeth. Plaque build-up from poor oral hygiene is usually the first sign. Early gum disease and advanced gum disease are the two main stages. The first stage, gingivitis, primarily affects the gums and is usually curable with the right treatment. If ignored, it becomes periodontitis. This deeper stage lets bacteria wreck bone and tissue, risking tooth loss and other health issues.

What is a Periodontist?

In order to prevent, detect, and treat gum disease, these dentists have undergone three additional years of training. In addition, they do implants and cosmetic gum work. To keep your mouth healthy, your periodontist and regular dentist work together.

Causes of Gum Disease

  • It’s easy for gum problems to sneak up on you, often just from missing a few spots while brushing or flossing. That little bit of missed plaque lets bacteria build up, which leads to trouble. However, there are other factors that can really make things worse:
  • Smoking or chewing tobacco: These habits aren’t just bad for your teeth. They also cut off blood supply to your gums, so they struggle to heal and get infected easily.
  • Hormonal shifts: Changes like menopause, periods, puberty, and pregnancy cause your hormones to fluctuate. This can make gums extra sensitive and inflamed, even if you’re taking good care of them.
  • Certain illnesses: Conditions such as cancer and HIV weaken your body’s ability to fight off infections. This leaves gums vulnerable to bacteria and disease when your immune system is compromised.
  • Diabetes: People with diabetes have a hard time managing their blood sugar, and that impacts their gums. High blood sugar thickens blood vessels, which means gums don’t get enough nutrients, and infections become more likely.

What are some warning signs of Gum Disease?

It’s easy to miss gum problems, since they don’t always hurt. Keep an eye out for these clues:

  • Gums that are red, puffy, tender, or swollen a lot.
  • Bleeding gums when you brush, floss, or eat hard stuff.
  • Gums pulling away, making teeth look bigger.
  • Bad breath or a strange taste that just won’t quit.
  • That mouth sore or irritation lasting over two weeks.

Treatment available for Gum Disease in Santa Clarita, CA

When you visit our gum specialist in Santa Clarita, CA, they’ll work with you to find the right treatment. They’ll consider how far the infection has spread and any damage it’s caused to your gums, teeth, and bone. After looking at your X-rays and examining your gums, they’ll go over your options, answer your questions, and explain what comes next.

Non-Surgical Treatments

For less severe gum problems, we usually start with non-surgical options. These treatments help clear out bacteria, plaque, and tartar, and they encourage your gums to heal.

  • Deep teeth cleaning: Think of this as a really good cleaning that targets plaque and tartar below your gumline. It prevents bacteria from spreading deeper, reduces swelling, and helps your gum tissue recover.
  • Scaling and Root Planing: This is a more thorough cleaning for deeper gum pockets. Scaling removes hardened plaque from your teeth and under your gums. Root planing smooths the tooth roots, making it harder for bacteria to stick to them again. This helps your gums reattach to your teeth, shrinking those pockets.

Surgical Treatments

If your gum disease is more advanced and non-surgical treatments aren’t enough, surgery might be needed. These procedures address serious damage and help rebuild your gum structure.

  • Flap Surgery: We gently lift your gums to remove deep plaque build-up. This reduces pocket size, making it harder for bacteria to accumulate, and helps your gums reattach, improving your overall oral health.
  • Bone Graft: If gum disease has led to bone loss, we use a bone graft. We place bone material, either artificial or natural, to rebuild the lost bone. This strengthens the foundation for your teeth and prevents further damage.
  • Soft Tissue Graft: This repairs gum recession caused by the disease. We take tissue from another part of your mouth and attach it to the affected area. This covers exposed roots, reducing sensitivity and improving appearance.

FAQs

How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?

Keeping your gums healthy starts with a strong daily routine. Brush at least twice a day, floss once, and visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups. Avoid tobacco, eat a balanced diet, and manage stress—these small habits can make a big difference in protecting your gums.

This is a deep-cleaning procedure that helps treat gum disease. A dentist removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the teeth and below the gumline. Then, the root surfaces are smoothed to help the gums reattach and stop the infection from spreading.

Most gum treatments, including scaling and root planing, are done under local anesthesia, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure. Afterward, some mild discomfort or sensitivity is normal, but it can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and following your dentist’s aftercare instructions.

 

If caught early (in the gingivitis stage), gum disease can be reversed with professional treatment and better oral care at home. However, in more advanced cases like periodontitis, the damage can’t be undone, but it can be controlled with ongoing care and treatment.

Ignoring gum disease can lead to serious issues, including gum recession, tooth loss, and even bone damage. It’s also linked to overall health problems like heart disease and diabetes. Getting treatment early helps prevent these complications.

The results of gum treatment vary depending on how severe the condition is. With proper care and treatment, you may start noticing improvements within a few weeks, while more advanced cases may take months. Regular follow-ups with your dentist ensure your gums stay on the right track.