Gum disease is a serious, but common, issue. Dr. Brianne Luu of Gentle Care Dentistry in Azusa, CA, works hard to educate her patients about good oral hygiene in order to avoid the effects of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Once it develops, gum disease can cause serious problems for a patient’s mouth, resulting in damage to the teeth, bone, and gums.

Gum disease begins as gingivitis. Because so many patients have heard of gingivitis, they think it’s harmless when their gums bleed during teeth brushing or flossing or don’t notice that their gums are red and inflamed. However, if you notice these symptoms you should make an appointment with Dr. Luu as quickly as possible. At this point, gum disease is easy to treat and reverse. Following a proper diagnosis, patients will likely undergo a professional, deep cleaning to eliminate the bacteria, plaque, and tartar from above and below the gumline. This treatment ensures that the gum disease does not progress any further.

Left untreated, gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease, which causes even greater damage to the gum and the bone surrounding the teeth. The gums will begin to pull away from the teeth and the bone can become damaged. This can lead to the tooth becoming loose, or even falling out. If the disease progresses this far, treatment may be more extensive. This could include deep cleaning, antibiotics, or even surgery. Dr. Luu will examine your mouth and recommend the necessary treatments to bring your mouth back to good health.

Of course, the best way to deal with gum disease is never to develop it at all. Gum disease can be avoided by ensuring proper and thorough brushing and flossing. In addition, patients should keep up with regular dental visits to ensure that their at-home care is effective and potential issues can be treated before they develop into larger problems.

If you are experiencing any of the signs of gum disease, call the Gentle Dental Care office today to schedule an appointment. Proper diagnosis, followed by treatment is the best way to prevent gum disease progression and future irreversible damage.

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