Periodontal Care Specialist

What is gum disease?

Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is an infection of the gums that can damage your tooth-supporting structures like your gum tissue and jawbone.

In its early stages, gum disease doesn’t cause any irreversible damage, so it’s important to seek treatment as soon as you notice the warning signs.

How do I know if I have gum disease?

Gum disease often has no symptoms at first. You may notice slight discomfort or a small bit of blood when you brush or floss. Other signs and symptoms of gum disease include:

• Gum inflammation
• Tender gums
• Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
• Receding gums
• Tooth sensitivity

In its later stages, gum disease can lead to shifting teeth, loosening teeth, and tooth loss. You may also notice that small pockets of pus form between your teeth and gums.

Are there different types of gum disease?

There are two main types of gum disease that Peninsula Dental Excellence treats at their office:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. It’s completely reversible and causes no lasting damage to your oral health. If you have gingivitis, you may notice tender or bleeding gums when you brush your teeth, but your teeth should be firmly in place.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease that leaves lasting damage. If you have periodontitis, small pockets of pus that are filled with bacteria can form between your gums and teeth. While it isn’t reversible, periodontitis is treatable with the right periodontal care.

How can periodontal care treat gum disease?

Peninsula Dental Excellence typically treats gingivitis with routine teeth cleanings and improved oral hygiene habits. Periodontitis, however, typically requires a deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing.

During a deep cleaning, your provider uses a small dental instrument called a scaler to scrape away plaque, bacteria, and hard tartar from above your gumline.

Next, they use the scaler to penetrate beneath the gum line, cleaning and disinfecting any pockets of pus you may have. Once they’ve completely eliminated these pockets, your provider smooths out your tooth roots to help them reattach to your gums.

For more advanced gum disease, Peninsula Dental Excellence performs gum flap surgery, a procedure that involves separating the gums from the teeth to reach the tooth roots and bone.

In severe cases, your provider may recommend gum graft surgery, a procedure in which they remove a piece of tissue from the roof of your mouth and place it over your exposed tooth roots for protection.

For expert periodontal care, call Peninsula Dental Excellence or book an appointment online today.