Gum disease affects millions of people
Gum disease is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation along your gum line. If left untreated, it can lead to gum recession, bone degeneration, and tooth loss. In more severe cases, it can also affect your overall physical health. Research has proven there is a correlation between your oral and physical health. When bacteria is left unchecked, not only will it progress into gum disease, but it may even lead to serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Although the primary cause of gum disease is linked to poor oral hygiene and unaddressed plaque buildup, other causes include:
Smoking and other tobacco use
Genetics
Hormonal changes
Medications
Bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching)
Gum disease (periodontitis) is a progressive condition defined by the following phases.
Gingivitis: As the earliest stage of gum disease, symptoms are generally mild and often reversible with professional treatment and a routine oral hygiene regimen. Symptoms include swollen gums, redness, and bleeding during brushing and flossing.
Periodontitis: During this stage, bacteria overgrowth will penetrate the gum line, causing pockets of infection between and around the teeth, leading to gum recession, bad breath, and dental sensitivity. Once teeth and gums reach this stage, both soft and hard tissues are irreversibly impaired and will require routine professional periodontal surgical treatments to prevent further damage from occurring.
Advanced Periodontitis: At this stage, bone degeneration is so severe that teeth will begin shifting and loosening, leading to severe dental misalignment, malocclusion, and mouth pain. Although some surgical and restorative treatments are available to repair damage, a tooth extraction may be necessary if
Gum disease starts with mild symptoms like red, swollen gums, but it can lead to serious problems as it progresses.
Gum recession
Red, swollen, and sensitive gums
Dental sensitivity
Shifting teeth with noticeable gaps
Chronic bad breath
Bleeding gums, especially during brushing and flossing
Visible signs of infection
Teeth or mouth pain
When gum disease is detected in its earliest stages, it is often reversible. However, in more severe cases, more complex treatments will be required to keep it from worsening. Although gum disease is treatable by a general practitioner, seeing a periodontist such as Dr. Baradarian will provide you with more focused and comprehensive care. Dr. Baradarian offers a variety of nonsurgical and surgical treatments to correct gum disease
Scaling and Root
Tray Delivery Systems: Customized trays are designed to use in combination with medication and worn for 30 minutes each day to help heal your gums.
Traditional Gum Graft Surgery: Dr. Baradarian will take soft tissue from the roof of your mouth and surgically attach it to replace infected or recessed gum tissue.
LANAP Laser Periodontal Surgery: This advanced treatment uses laser therapy to regenerate healthy gum tissue.
Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique: This minimally invasive treatment requires no sutures or scalpel, and can effectively correct gum recession.
Pocket Reduction Procedures: Dr. Baradarian will surgically remove unhealthy bacteria from beneath the gum line and then tighten the tissue surrounding your teeth.
Regenerative Procedures: When