Newport Beach Gum Disease Treatment

How Does Gum Disease Affect Your Overall Health?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the tissues supporting and around your teeth. It is often painless, so you may not even realize you have it. This is one of the reasons that regular dental checkups are so important — because gum disease can cause many problems before you are even aware of it.

For example, it’s one of the main reasons that adults may lose their teeth. Gum disease results from plaque, the sticky bacteria on teeth. If your gums bleed easily, are sore or red, or your teeth seem to be loose, contact your dentist right away.

There are many factors that can lead to gum disease. Leading causes are not taking proper care of your teeth, smoking or chewing tobacco, being pregnant, and taking certain medications. Having regular dental care and cleanings can help prevent or manage gum disease.

At Newport Smiles, we can help you identify the Newport Beach gum disease treatment that may be right for you. Contact us today to get started!

What Are My Treatment Options for Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an infection of the soft tissue around your teeth, caused by sticky bacteria on the tooth surface. It is one of the major causes of tooth loss in adults. If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, there are several treatment options. Depending on the extent of your gum disease, regular dental cleanings may help, in which your teeth are deep cleaned both above and below the gum line. Another nonsurgical option is scaling and root cleaning, a deep cleaning method that requires local anesthetic in which tartar and plaque are scraped off above and below the gum line and rough spots on the tooth root, if any, are smoothed out so that gums can reattach to the teeth.

If a surgical option is needed, there are several things that can be done. Flap surgery is one option, in which the gums are surgically lifted and teeth and tissue deep cleaned and then fitted back around the teeth with less spare room than before so there is less room for bacteria to grow. Bone graft or soft tissue graft are other surgical options, in which pieces of bone or soft tissue are grafted into the mouth and used to stabilize the teeth.

Some dental professionals will also prescribe antibiotics for gum disease, as this can kill the bacteria damaging teeth. This is sometimes used in conjunction with the other options and sometimes alone, and is usually only a temporary fix.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Disease

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

• Symptoms of gum disease can include red, swollen, or bleeding gums, bad breath, loose teeth, and receding gums. In some cases, there may be no noticeable symptoms.

What causes gum disease?

• Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on the teeth. This can occur due to poor oral hygiene habits, such as not brushing or flossing regularly, as well as certain medical conditions like diabetes and hormonal changes.

Is gum disease contagious?

• Gum disease is not contagious, but the bacteria that cause gum disease can be spread through saliva. This is why it is important to practice good oral hygiene habits and avoid sharing toothbrushes or other dental instruments.

If you need professional assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us at (949) 570-5645; we specialize in emergencies.