Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a serious condition that can occur for a number of reasons, including when dental patients in Los Angeles do not practice good oral health habits at home. Although many individuals maintain their twice-a-year standing dental visits, they may skip brushing and flossing at home occasionally, increasing the risk of developing gum disease.
Although dental checkups are important for several reasons such as receiving a professional cleaning, and giving your dentist an opportunity to examine your teeth and gums, at-home care is also essential. To understand why at home care is so important, it is necessary to understand how gum disease occurs.
Tooth decay and gum disease develop when food particles, sugar, and bacteria on the teeth are not brushed away, so they develop into plaque and tartar. The acid in the bacteria begins to work into the enamel, which causes cavities. Infection of the gums can begin as well. Early signs of gum disease are tender or swollen gums, or gums that bleed when you brush your teeth.
Fortunately, the early stages of gum disease, known as gingivitis, are reversible if detected and treated early. Typically, better at-home care, professional cleaning, and specific medicines and antibiotics recommended by Dr. Mungcal, will be enough to treat gingivitis.
If gingivitis goes undetected, it can progress to the advanced stages of periodontal disease. As the condition advances, it becomes more serious. Common symptoms of advanced stages of gum disease are shrinking gums, loss of bone, and even losing a tooth, or teeth. Before teeth can be replaced, or other restorative actions can be taken, the gum disease condition must first be managed. Advanced stages of gum disease can be treated with deep cleaning and medications.
Dr. Mungcal uses specific medicines and antibiotics that kill bacteria in conjunction with proper periodontal cleaning. This makes his non-surgical periodontal therapy more effective, and helps avoid surgery along with keeping the mouth healthy. Your gums shouldn’t hurt or bleed when you brush your teeth. If they do, or if you have any other indication that you may have gum disease, call the team at Downtown Dental and schedule an appointment.
