February has been designated “Gum Disease Awareness Month” in a national and global effort to raise public awareness of gum disease.
At Thousand Oaks Smile Design, we look at the whole picture when it comes to your oral hygiene. Your teeth are essential for a strong, beautiful, healthy smile. But don't overlook your gums.
Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile!
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease, are inflammatory conditions marked by red, swollen, painful gums, tooth loss, bad breath, and occasionally oral bleeding. Often, these symptoms are first discovered while brushing one’s teeth or using dental floss.
A common misconception about periodontal disease is that it must be painful. While many cases of gum disease are indeed painful, a good deal of them involves little to no pain at all. These “benign” cases of gum disease are often the most serious, as patients can go a long time before they realize they need to seek medical treatment.
Causes of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is caused by infection from the build-up of plaque and tartar in your mouth. When plaque (the filmy fuzzy covering on your teeth) isn't removed, it hardens and becomes tartar. This tartar has to be removed at your hygiene visits. If it is not removed, the bacteria can continue to grow and irritate your gums and surrounding bone and tissue. When inflammation continues to destroy this tissue, pockets form around the teeth. As the disease progresses, the pockets get deeper giving the bacteria a bigger home.
Treatment Options for Periodontal Therapy
Proper restorative care of teeth cannot be performed on diseased gums, so we must restore your gum health before beginning our dental work. Our office offers several periodontal therapy services, so you can keep your gums healthy.
Your gum disease treatment will depend on several factors, including your personal health history and the stage of your gum disease.
Thousand Oaks Smile Design offers comfortable and effective treatments to help you achieve your oral health goals. Call 805-492-3553 today to schedule a FREE in-person consultation.
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