If you have toothaches or experience bleeding gums when you brush and floss your teeth, you may be developing periodontitis. Periodontitis, also known as gum disease, affects millions of Americans each year. Although the disease is very common, periodontitis can result in serious problems if left untreated.
Common Causes of Gum Disease
Patients with these conditions may be more prone to developing gum disease than other patients:
- Smoking
- Tobacco Use
- Improper oral hygiene
- Certain medications
Gum disease can manifest itself in many ways, so it is important to pay attention to any changes in your oral health.
Gum Disease Symptoms
Some common symptoms of gum disease to look out for include:
- Swollen gums
- Bad breath (Halitosis)
- Toothaches
- Bleeding gums
- Mouth sores
- Gum swelling
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth
If you have noticed any of these symptoms, call Dr. Michael Ayzin in his Costa Mesa, CA office. The professionals at Dentistry At Its Finest are passionate about providing high-quality care to patients in Orange County. Call 714.540.5511 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ayzin. He will assess your gum and tooth health to determine if your symptoms are linked to gum disease. He will then create a treatment plan and recommend options for removing the infection.
Gum Disease Treatment Options
Topical antibiotics can help remove bacteria that causes infection, but when infection is severe they may not be enough. Periodontitis can be treated through these common surgical and non-surgical methods:
Scaling and Root Planing: These two separate treatments are often used in combination to help clean gums and combat inflammation. Scaling is a deep cleaning treatment that goes beneath the gum line to remove plaque and tartar. Root planing smooths out tooth roots and can help gums reattach to teeth.
Gum graft surgery: Tissue is taken from another part of the mouth and then used to cover tooth roots during this surgical procedure. Tooth loss in later stages of periodontitis can be prevented with gum grafting.
Flap surgery: During this procedure, the gums are lifted and tartar is cleaned from beneath them. Deep gum pockets can be treated with flap surgery.
Schedule an Appointment
Have you noticed any of the common symptoms associated with gum disease? Call 714.540.5511 for treatment at Dentistry At Its Finest. You can also schedule an appointment online here.
