19
Dec
Five Things You Need to Know About Periodontal Disease and Treatment Options
Gum or periodontal disease is one of the most common and severe oral conditions that often go under the radar. Perhaps it’s because it rarely causes pain until it’s advanced. Alternatively, it could be that it has been overshadowed by the more renowned oral problems like cavities and toothaches.
Brentwood Dental Care is the leading office for maintaining healthy gums in Brentwood, California, and the nearby locations. Drs. Don Mungcal and Alyssa Hanel understand the importance of optimal gum health, and we are committed to ensuring that by blending cutting-edge technology with personalized care. Whether you need treatment or advice on maintaining healthy gums, we are your go-to dental office.
What you need to know about periodontal disease
Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that affects the gingival tissues and the surrounding structures. It’s a common oral disease, affecting nearly 50% of adults over 30. For a disease this common, you can’t afford to be ignorant. Here’s what you need to know about gum disease.
1. It’s a silent disease
The earliest symptoms of gum disease are easy to ignore or miss. The early stage of gum disease (gingivitis) manifests with seemingly innocuous symptoms like gum redness, swelling, and bleeding when brushing. Often, these symptoms can be missed. That’s why regular dental check-ups are advisable to detect and treat gum disease when it’s reversible.
2. It’s the leading cause of tooth loss!
Do you know the leading cause of tooth loss? It’s easy to think it’s tooth decay or accidents, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. When gum disease is left to progress to periodontitis, the harmful bacteria destroy the gum tissues and the bone that holds teeth in place. Without this support, teeth become loose and eventually fall out or require extraction.
3. It affects patients of all ages
A popular misconception is that gum disease only affects the elderly. Although senior citizens and pregnant women are more vulnerable to periodontal disease, the truth is that this condition can affect patients of all ages, including kids, teens, and young adults. That’s why everyone needs to observe optimal oral hygiene and honor routine dental visits at every stage of life.
4. Gum disease can affect your overall wellbeing
Gum disease doesn’t just cause soft tissue damage and tooth loss—it can affect your overall health. Gum disease causes an “inflammation overload” in the body, increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, respiratory complications, and other systemic conditions. So, promoting your periodontal health isn’t just about your gums.
5. We treat gum disease with laser therapy
Advanced gum disease is traditionally treated with surgical interventions using scalpels and sutures. However, you can opt for laser surgery, which uses high-energy light to target and treat the diseased tissues. Lasers vaporize the infected tissues and eliminate the unwanted deposits to promote healing. Besides, laser therapy stimulates the jawbone to encourage tissue regeneration and speedier recovery.
Gum disease treatment in Brentwood
Do you suspect gum disease? Are you ready to regain optimal gum health? Whatever the stage of your gum disease, call (310) 444-9900 to schedule an appointment with Drs. Don Mungcal and Alyssa Hanel and explore our gum disease treatment options. (Hint: Our periodontal treatments are conservative yet effective.)