Gum Disease & Treatment in Hacienda Heights CA

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What Is A Periodontist in Hacienda Heights CA

This is a dentist that has gone beyond the basic education of dental science to specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of periodontal disease. This requires three additional years of study beyond the normal degree for dental sciences or medicine. It also qualifies a periodontist to work with implants as well as perform more cosmetic procedures such as gum lifts.

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What is Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first, most common, and least serious form of gum disease. Because it doesn’t usually involve pain, it is often common for people to not even realize they have it. Gingivitis is characterized by red, swollen, tender gums, which are prone to easy bleeding. Some professional dental attention, as well as diligent brushing and flossing, is usually enough to fight gingivitis.

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What Is Periodontitis

This is a more serious form of gum disease that some patients in Hacienda Heights develop, and can often be caused by gingivitis that is ignored. When periodontitis sets in, this weakens the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to loose teeth that move around in the gums and, eventually a loss of teeth as they are no longer able to remain anchored in the mouth.

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How Do You Get Gum Disease

There are many reasons a person can contract gum disease. Constant breathing through the mouth can lead to gum problems by reducing salivary flow, which leads to dryness of the mouth, making you susceptible for gum disease and cavities. Regular smoking can also lead to gum disease; smoking weakens the gum’s ability to fight infection, making it more vulnerable. Increased hormonal activity during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can also lead to gum disease as hormonal changes can affect the gums. And of course, poor oral hygiene can also lead to gum disease.

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What Is Halitosis

Halitosis is, simply, “bad breath,” and this can be another symptom of gum disease. Because bacteria are breeding in your mouth, this can be a persistent, long-term case of halitosis that even cosmetic mouthwashes can only hide for short periods.

When it comes to gum disease, it’s essential that you take good care of your mouth, and make sure a professional regularly examines you. That way, early gum disease can be treated before it becomes serious, and serious gum disease can be addressed before you lose teeth.

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Why Is Gum Disease Bad

In addition to the bleeding and general soreness, gum disease can lead to a more severe version known as periodontitis. This can have a snowball effect, growing more pronounced, infecting your gums and causing bone loss, eventually weakening them, which can lead to a loss of teeth. Your gums and bones are an anchor that helps to hold your teeth in place. Once they become infected, they can no longer perform this role and may, in turn, infect the teeth themselves.

Added to this, there is the chance that periodontitis if left untreated, can go beyond the mouth and send its bacteria throughout the rest of your bloodstream. There have even been studies that indicate a link to heart disease may be more pronounced by people who ignored the periodontitis in their mouth.

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How To Control Gum Disease

You should visit Hacienda Heights Gentle Smiles to determine the scope of your gum disease and see what procedures will be most effective. Scaling and root planing, for example, is a very thorough removal of tartar both above and below the gum line. For more severe cases, flap surgery may be required. This calls for lifting the gums away from the teeth to get at all the plaque and tartar that has formed underneath.

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Gum disease in Hacienda Heights CA may start as just a little bit of bleeding on your gums, but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored. If you bleed a lot when you brush or floss, you should consult a dentist to get your gums more carefully examined. Our team at Hacienda Heights Gentle Smiles is here to help.