Periodontal Therapy in Vista, CA

What is Periodontal (Gum) Disease?

Periodontal disease is a condition that attacks and damages the gum tissue and bone inside of the mouth. It develops when food debris, bacteria, and acid accumulate on the teeth into a substance known as plaque. If plaque isn’t removed on a regular basis, it turns into tartar also known as calculus.

Over time, plaque and calculus may cause severe harm to the teeth, gums, and underlying jawbone. The first signs of gum disease are subtle, like red puffy gums or bleeding while brushing, if left untreated more signs may appear like:

• Chronic bad breath
• Infection and pus around the teeth and gums
• Receding gum line
• Tooth loss
• Bone loss
• Wiggly loose teeth

In addition to being the leading cause of tooth loss, periodontal disease is associated with other serious health conditions like diabetes, bacterial pneumonia, cardiovascular disease, and increased risk during pregnancy and childbirth.

The good news, however, is that gum disease can be reversed if it’s caught early enough. Stop the progression of gum disease and treat periodontal disease for your overall health. That’s why it’s so important to visit Sycamore Dental for periodontal disease treatment.

Diagnosis

During your regular three to six-month check-up, your hygienist performs a periodontal examination to check for signs of gum disease and periodontal disease. Using a small dental instrument called a periodontal probe, your dental hygienist assesses the health of your gums and supporting bone structure. Based on their findings, your dentist will determine which stage of gum disease or periodontal disease that currently exists in your mouth:

• Gingivitis: The first stage of gum disease that’s easiest to reverse
• Periodontitis: The later stage of gum disease that causes infection and bone loss
• Advanced Periodontitis: The severe stage of gum disease that causes tooth loss, extensive bone loss, and widespread damage to the mouth

Your Sycamore Dental team will use this diagnosis to help you begin the best course of treatment.