Periodontal Disease
Without proper treatment, periodontal disease can cause significant and irreversible damage to your mouth. At Dental Express, we emphasize proactive care to prevent gum disease from developing. But if it does, we’ll work together to bring your smile back to health and avoid any further infections. If you think you’re showing signs of periodontal disease or have questions about it, give us a call or schedule an appointment at any of our locations in San Diego, CA.
Overview
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), periodontal or gum disease is an infection that affects the tissues and bone that support your teeth. If left unchecked, it can have a massive impact on your dental health. Also called periodontitis, this dental condition is caused by plaque buildup on your teeth. If it stays on your teeth long enough, plaque can cause inflammation in your gums, which can eventually damage the bone and tissues that hold your teeth in place. Thankfully, however, there are a few stages to periodontitis. So if you catch it early enough, you can stop it before it causes irreversible damage.
The ADA recommends seeing your dentist right away if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
- Receding gums
- Bad breath that won’t go away
- Pus between teeth and gums
- Loose teeth or gaps forming between teeth
- Pain while chewing
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
The first stage of periodontal disease is commonly known as gingivitis. If you start to notice your gums become red, swollen, or bleed when brushing or flossing, it’s time to visit the dentist. At this stage, gum disease is reversible with professional cleaning and consistent care at home. But without treatment, gingivitis can develop into periodontal disease. The ADA states that periodontitis can do lasting damage to the gums, bones, and other structures surrounding your teeth. And if left untreated, advanced periodontal disease can develop and wreak havoc on your oral health. When the supporting tissues are weakened and damaged enough, your teeth can become loose or even fall out.
To combat periodontitis and keep your mouth plaque-free, Dental Express provides surgical and nonsurgical treatment options based on how advanced your condition is. We offer periodontal cleanings, antibiotics, scaling and root planing, gum surgery, and tooth extractions at all of our locations in the San Diego area. If you’re showing signs of periodontal disease, give us a call to schedule a dental exam and consultation today. We’ll get the issue under control and develop an action plan to keep your smile healthy for the long haul.
Best Candidates
We strongly recommend periodontal treatment for anyone experiencing symptoms of gingivitis or periodontitis. If you’re not showing any symptoms, it can be hard to tell if gum disease is developing on your teeth. That’s why, along with healthy oral hygiene at home, regular dental exams and cleanings are so crucial. When you visit us at Dental Express, our dentists can take a close look at your teeth and curb the growth of any disease before it causes lasting damage.
What to Expect
Your periodontal treatment will vary depending on how severe your case is. For mild cases, scaling and root planing (SRP) is a powerful treatment that cleans deep between your teeth where toothbrushes and floss can’t reach. In moderate cases, we may prescribe antibiotics in addition to SRP treatments. And for more advanced cases, we may recommend gum surgery to protect your dental health.
Recovery
As with your treatment, your recovery will vary based on how severe your condition is. Your treatment plan may require you to come in for multiple appointments to get your gum disease under control. After your treatment, we may recommend an antibacterial mouthwash or toothpaste to keep any further infections at bay. Once we have a handle on things, keeping up with your routine dental appointments is critical. We may recommend more frequent exams over the next several months to make sure your mouth stays healthy and plaque-free.
Insurance Coverage
The cost of your treatment will differ depending on how advanced your periodontal disease is. If you have a dental insurance policy, our treatment planner will contact your provider to discuss coverage and additional costs. If you’re uninsured, we accept many different payment methods and are happy to offer low-interest medical financing. If you’re worried about expenses, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or come in for a consultation. Waiting to get treatment for financial reasons can lead to much more serious issues and expensive treatments down the road. Your dental health is our primary concern. We’ll do whatever we can to make your dental care expenses as budget-friendly as possible.
