26
Jun
Periodontal Disease: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Although gum disease is preventable, it remains a major dental problem today. By learning more about this condition, you can take measures to prevent periodontal disease and save your teeth. In this post, Dr. Trish Barsanti from Barsanti Dental Group in Arcata, California, answers your questions about periodontal disease to give you greater insight into the causes, symptoms, and treatment of this dental issue.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is a serious gum infection that can destroy the bone structure of your teeth, causing you to lose your teeth. It’s caused by bacterial buildup around and beneath the gum line of your teeth due to poor oral hygiene.
What type of periodontal disease do I have?
The two main types of periodontal disease are gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the early form of gum disease, often undetected due to mild symptoms. Dr. Barsanti can alert you to gingivitis during a dental exam so you can improve your condition with better oral hygiene. Left unchecked, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, an advanced gum disease that can lead to tooth loss.
What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?
The following are common symptoms of periodontitis:
- Gum swelling and tenderness
- Bleeding gums when you brush or floss your teeth
- Receding gums (your gums start to pull away from your teeth)
- Painful chewing
- Periodontal pockets around the gumline of your teeth
- Teeth shifting or coming loose, forming tooth gaps
- Eventual tooth loss
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Is periodontal disease treatable?
Yes! Dr. Barsanti offers various options for treatment. Prompt treatment can help save your teeth! Delaying treatment puts you at risk of sustaining irreparable bone loss that can lead to losing your teeth. Periodontal treatments include:
- Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) – to control plaque and tartar buildup and prevent further damage to your gums and teeth
- Antibiotics – to minimize the symptoms of the infection
- Periodontal gum surgery – to eliminate the infection and promote the healing of damaged gum tissues
- Periodontal therapy – continued maintenance to keep your gums strong and healthy
Can gum disease be reversed?
In the early stages of gingivitis, gum disease can often be reversed with better home oral hygiene and routine visits to Dr. Barsanti for professional cleanings. The damage caused by advanced gum disease is irreversible. We can manage your symptoms through periodontal treatment to prevent further damage leading to tooth loss.
Can periodontal disease be prevented?
Absolutely! Good oral hygiene habits and regular dental cleanings can keep plaque and bacteria to a minimum to protect your teeth and gums from decay and gum disease. Your smile is well worth preserving! Routine visits to your Arcata, CA, dentist will enable us to catch signs of this problem early and quickly nip it in the bud to preserve your beautiful smile!
Who offers periodontal disease treatment near me?
You can come to Barsanti Dental Group in Arcata, CA, for prompt and effective gum disease treatment. To schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Trish Barsanti at (707) 388-3880.
Dr. Trish Barsanti
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Dr. Trish Barsanti is a Humboldt State University graduate and obtained her dental degree from UCLA. Since the beginning of her dental career, her focus has been on educating patients and giving back to the community. She now practices at Barsanti Dental Group, which was set up by her father-in-law, Dr. Ronald Barsanti, in 1968. Dr. Barsanti is a member of associations like the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, California Dental Association, and Arcata Chamber of Commerce. She has received special recognition in public health dentistry, periodontics, implants, orofacial pain, removable prosthodontics, operative dentistry, and oral and maxillofacial pathology.