Del Mar
Periodontal Care

Protect Your Teeth From Gum Disease

Periodontal Care In Del Mar

Periodontal (gum) disease is one of the most common dental issues in America. It has been estimated that nearly half of all American adults have gum disease, and many people are not even aware of their condition. If you suspect that you may have gum disease, it’s important to get help from a doctor at Del Mar Dental Studio as soon as you can. Contact us now to schedule an appointment.

What Is Gum Disease?

Understanding the Causes

Gum disease is an oral health condition caused by improper oral hygiene. If you do not brush and floss regularly, bacteria-filled plaque in your mouth will build up between your gums and teeth. Over time, this hardens into tartar (calculus). 
‍
If it gets to this point, the bacteria in the plaque and tartar will begin to infect your gums, causing them to become infected and inflamed. If your condition is not treated, the infection will continue to progress, eventually causing permanent damage to your gums and the supporting structures of your teeth.

Preventing Gum Disease

The Importance Of Proper Oral Hygiene

The good thing about gum disease is that it is completely preventable. As long as you brush 2-3 times per day, floss once per day, and see our Del Mar dentist for preventive care like an oral exam and teeth cleaning every six months, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing gum disease.
‍
Additional steps you can take to help prevent gum disease include a lower-sugar diet, managing diabetes properly, and quitting smoking/tobacco use. Using an antibacterial mouthwash can also help prevent gum disease from developing.

Recognizing Gingivitis

Signs & Symptoms of Gum Disease

The initial stage of gum disease, known as “gingivitis,” is the most common. This stage of the disease does not cause any permanent damage to your teeth and is reversible with proper care. Common symptoms of gingivitis include swollen, spongy and discolored gums, halitosis (bad breath), and gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing.
‍
As your condition worsens, so do the symptoms. More advanced cases of gum disease can cause symptoms like pain and discomfort when chewing, loosening of the teeth, and gum recession. 
‍
If you notice any of these issues, it’s important to get care as soon as you can at our Del Mar dental office. Early intervention is the best way to minimize damage to your teeth and gums.

Periodontal Care Options

Treating Gum Disease

The first step in treating gum disease is called a “deep cleaning” or “scaling and root planing.” Your Del Mar dentist will use special scaling tools to clean plaque and tartar away from between your teeth and gums, and to smooth the roots of your teeth and eliminate bacteria.
‍
Combined with antibiotic treatment, this is usually enough to resolve minor-to-moderate cases of gum disease. However, more advanced cases may require surgical treatments like gum flap surgery and gum grafting. 
‍
Gum flap surgery involves folding back your gums to clean and disinfect the roots of your teeth, and gum grafting uses tissue (usually from the roof of your mouth) to reshape and restore your gums after they’ve been damaged by an advanced case of gum disease.

Technology to Stop Gum Disease in Its Tracks

The right experts should be equipped with the right tools. Your Del Mar dentists use a periodontal treatment that is gentle, effective, and thorough - thanks in part to our LANAP=LAR PerioLase technology. This tool state-of-the-art tool benefits patients by:
‍

• Treating the source of inflammation without harming healthy gum tissue nearby
  

• Reducing pain, bleeding, sensitivity, and swelling after treatment
  

• Promoting faster healing and allowing patients to return to normalcy quickly
  

We’re proud to offer this therapy as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional forms of treatment that often require cuts and stitching.