Periodontal Disease Archives - Century City Dentist - Century City Best Quality Dentist https://www.hppydds.com/category/blog/periodontal-disease/ Dentist Century City CA Dr. Danielle Akry Mon, 02 Dec 2024 04:11:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.hppydds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-icon-32x32.png Periodontal Disease Archives - Century City Dentist - Century City Best Quality Dentist https://www.hppydds.com/category/blog/periodontal-disease/ 32 32 Gum Disease Demystified: FAQs About Prevention and Treatment https://www.hppydds.com/gum-disease-treatment-century-city-ca/ Mon, 02 Dec 2024 04:06:32 +0000 http://hppydds.com?p=1268 Gum disease is a common yet misunderstood condition affecting many people worldwide. If left untreated, it can lead to mild inflammation or severe infections, ultimately resulting in tooth loss. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and available treatments is essential for good oral health. This article will answer frequently asked questions about gum disease, focusing on preventing […]

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]]> Gum disease is a common yet misunderstood condition affecting many people worldwide. If left untreated, it can lead to mild inflammation or severe infections, ultimately resulting in tooth loss. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and available treatments is essential for good oral health. This article will answer frequently asked questions about gum disease, focusing on preventing it and the treatments available for those affected.

Is Occasional Gum Bleeding While Brushing Your Teeth Normal?

Yes and no, depending on whether you brush vigorously or use a stiff-bristled toothbrush. However, your gums should not bleed each time you brush. Frequent gum bleeding is the most common symptom of plaque buildup on the tooth roots and gum inflammation caused by gingivitis.

What Contributes to Gum Disease?

Risk factors for gingivitis include:

  • Neglecting oral health
  • Smoking
  • Dry mouth/lack of saliva
  • Nutritional deficiencies/poor eating habits
  • Certain medications, such as calcium channel blockers or anti-seizure drugs

Calcium channel blockers and anti-epileptic drugs may promote excessive growth of gum tissue (gingival hyperplasia), making it more challenging to clean your teeth properly. Nicotine reduces saliva production and interferes with saliva’s ability to moisturize the mouth. Bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease thrive in chronically dry mouths.

What Are the Stages of Gum Disease?

  • Stage 1: red, swollen, and bleeding gums caused by bacterial buildup. It is reversible with improved oral hygiene and professional cleaning.
  • Stage 2: Moderate periodontitis: treatable but requires prompt action to prevent further damage
  • Stage 3: Severe periodontitis: extensive bone and tissue loss, loose teeth, and gum recession. Aggressive treatment is necessary to save teeth and prevent complications requiring surgery.

Gingivitis vs Periodontitis: What’s the Difference?

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can progress to more severe conditions like periodontitis if not managed. Periodontitis is severe gingivitis that has progressed beyond infrequent gum bleeding.  Signs of periodontitis include:

  • Swollen, bright red gums that always bleed
  • Pockets of pus at the gum line
  • Receding gums
  • Tooth Sensitivity
  • Halitosis
  • Loose teeth

Unlike mild gingivitis, with improved oral hygiene, periodontitis is a more severe gum disease requiring professional treatment from Dr. Danielle AKry, a Century City, California dentist.

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Can Periodontal Disease Be Reversed?

Yes, but it can only be reversed by a dentist specializing in periodontitis treatment. Special dental tools are necessary for removing plaque and tartar deposits at the gumlines. Scaling clears away plaque and tartar buildup, while root planning eliminates rough, porous spots on tooth roots where bacteria tend to accumulate. Smoothing these spots also reduces the risk of staining by certain beverages and foods.Depending on the severity of periodontitis, scaling, and root planning may be completed in one visit. In advanced cases of periodontal disease, more extensive work may be necessary before or after scaling and planning.

What Can I Do to Reverse Mild or Early Onset Gum Disease?

Brushing and flossing twice daily, using soft-bristled toothbrushes, and rinsing with antimicrobial mouthwash every morning and evening can help reverse gum disease in its early stages. Not smoking, drinking plenty of water, and scheduling dental check-ups and cleanings every six months are other tips for maintaining good oral health. 

Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment in Century City, California

Getting professional treatment for gum disease as early as possible is vital to preventing tooth loss and periodontitis. Call the office of Dr. Danielle Akry, DDS. today at (310) 286-3111 to schedule an examination or find out how to reverse gum disease with dental cleanings and scaling and root planning procedures.

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]]> What are the Risk Factors for Periodontal Disease? https://www.hppydds.com/risk-factors-for-periodontal-disease-beverly-hills-ca/ Thu, 14 Jul 2022 16:34:47 +0000 http://hppydds.com?p=1100 Also known as gum disease, periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that affects the gums and bones supporting the teeth. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Periodontal disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth. Periodontitis is a severe gum disease that can damage the […]

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]]> Also known as gum disease, periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that affects the gums and bones supporting the teeth. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Periodontal disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth.

Periodontitis is a severe gum disease that can damage the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth. Many factors can increase your risk of developing periodontal disease, and we look at them below. If you have any risk factors for periodontal disease and live in and around Beverly Hills and Century City, you should see Dr. Danielle Akry, DDS to address them.

Tobacco Use

Tobacco use is the most crucial risk factor for periodontal disease. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or smokeless tobacco significantly increases your risk of gum disease. People who smoke are more likely to develop gingivitis and periodontitis than nonsmokers. They also tend to have more severe forms of these diseases.

Poor Oral Hygiene

If you do not brush and floss your teeth daily, you are at an increased risk of developing periodontal disease. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth. If plaque is not removed, it can harden and turn into tartar. Once tartar builds up, it can irritate and inflame the gums. This can lead to gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease.

Certain Health Conditions

Certain health conditions can increase your risk of developing periodontal disease. These include diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and cancer. People with these conditions are more likely to develop infections in the mouth. They may also have a harder time fighting off these infections.

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Age

Although not a direct cause, age is a risk factor for periodontal disease. As you age, your gums may recede (pull away from the teeth). This can make it easier for plaque and tartar to build up. The saliva may also become less effective at washing away bacteria.

The main risk factors for periodontal disease are tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, and certain health conditions. If you have any of these risk factors, contact Dr. Danielle Akry, DDS, a gum disease specialist serving residents in and around Beverly Hills and Century City, California, to discuss your treatment options. If you already have an infection, Dr. Danielle Akry, DDS also offers effective treatments for infected gums. Call (310) 286-3111 to schedule an appointment today.

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]]> Periodontal Therapy to Resolve Gum Disease Comfortably and Precisely https://www.hppydds.com/gum-infection-treatment-century-city-ca/ Wed, 27 Apr 2022 17:07:56 +0000 http://hppydds.com?p=1064 It is not cast in stone that we must lose our teeth as we age. If you combine routine oral hygiene with professional dental cleanings and examinations, the chances are that you can keep your natural teeth for life. This care isn’t only restricted to the teeth but the surrounding structures too: the gum and […]

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]]> It is not cast in stone that we must lose our teeth as we age. If you combine routine oral hygiene with professional dental cleanings and examinations, the chances are that you can keep your natural teeth for life. This care isn’t only restricted to the teeth but the surrounding structures too: the gum and tooth-supporting bone. Unfortunately, with a little slip-up in your dental care, gum disease can compromise these structures, and that’s why Dr. Danielle Akry, DDS in Century City, California, insists you keep your eyes peeled for this common yet severe oral condition.

Gum Disease Explained

Poor oral hygiene leads to the formation of plaque that encourages bacteria to become lodged between the gums and teeth. If you don’t remove plaque with at-home oral care, it becomes tartar making it hard to remove. Unless a dentist removes the tartar, it harbors bacteria that continue to invade your gums and teeth.

In the early stages, gum disease can be reversed by diligently brushing and flossing your teeth combined with dental cleanings. However, if the disease isn’t treated, it infects the tooth-supporting structures, and here it’s too late to reverse the condition, but it can be managed.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Infected gums are often red and puffy and may easily bleed when brushing. The other symptoms of gum disease include:

  • Pain while chewing
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Receding gums
  • Loose teeth
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Gum Disease Treatment

The first step to fight gum disease is encouraging oral hygiene habits and dental cleanings. If these methods don’t work, we may recommend other periodontal treatments. These include:

  • Deep cleaning: Scaling and planing techniques remove tartar and plaque on your teeth and gums, discouraging the growth of gum disease.
  • Antibiotic therapy: Topical and oral antibiotics help keep gum infections in check:
  • Gum grafting: where your gums are compromised, healthy tissue is harvested from other body parts to restore lost gum tissue.

Ready to win the battle against gum disease? If you are in Century City, California, or its environs, please dial (310) 286-3111 to book an appointment with Dr. Danielle Akry, DDS., for periodontal treatment.

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