Diagnosis and Effective Gum Disease Treatment

The bad thing about gum disease is that it’s sneaky, causing little or no pain before wreaking havoc on your gums and teeth. That’s why we recommend routine dental exams. With physical examinations and dental X-rays, your dentist can spot problems that you didn’t know existed.

When gum disease has already sneaked into your mouth, it doesn’t mean you have to “brave” the condition. Gentle but effective periodontal therapy from Dhir Dentistry can restore your oral health to its former self.

How Gum Disease Develops

Gum disease starts when plaque — a transparent, sticky film of bacteria — invades the spaces between gums and teeth. Plaque harbors bacteria that produce toxins that inflame your gums, causing swollen gums, redness, and bleeding while brushing. Fortunately, this early form of gum disease (gingivitis) can be reversed by brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings.

If gingivitis isn’t treated, it advances to periodontitis. Trust me; this is a word you wouldn’t want to hear from your dentist. It’s the advanced stage of gum disease, and here, the infection has started causing irreparable damage to your gums and tooth-supporting structures. If treatment is ignored, periodontitis causes gum recession, bad breath, and tooth loss.

Treating Gum Disease

We know you have been told this a hundred times, but we won’t get tired of reminding you — never ignore any signs of gum disease. Instead, book an appointment immediately after you notice signs of gum disease.

Besides the physical examination, Dr. Sanjay Dhir uses a periodontal probe to measure the pocket or spaces (sulcus) between your teeth and gums. If the pockets are deeper than 3mm, it indicates the presence of gum disease, and we initiate treatment right away.

Mild gum disease can be reversed by diligent brushing and flossing teeth, alongside dental cleanings. We treat mild to moderate gum disease using scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) that removes plaque and tartar beneath the gum line and on the tooth’s surface. We may use oral or topical antibiotics to keep your gum infection in check if necessary.

Take Control of Your Oral Health

Is gum disease getting the better of you in San Diego, California? Please dial (858) 358-5801 to book an appointment with Dhir Dentistry. Dr. Dhir has seen it all, from treating mild gum infections to managing severe periodontitis, so you can be sure your oral health is in safe hands.

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