Our Rancho Cucamonga Dentist always say that it’s important to understand that gum disease is an open sore in the filthiest location of the body and should be treated properly in order to prevent further damage. An untreated periodontal disease is the number one reason most individuals lose their teeth. Nonetheless, it is preventable during its early stages.
Listed below are some of the most common signs of periodontal disease:
- Bleeding Gums
- Loose Teeth
- New Spacing Between Teeth
- Bad Breath
- Pus Around the Teeth and Gums
- Receding Gums
- Red and Puffy Gums
- Tenderness of Discomfort
Periodontal disease is generally diagnosed by measuring a small natural pocket formed between the gum tissue and the teeth. For the most part, healthy gums have pockets that measure anywhere from 1-3 millimeters.
Periodontal pockets eventually fill with plaque and tartar which is full of harmful and unhealthy bacteria. If that bacteria is not flossed, washed or cleaned away, the gums will become irritated, inflamed and will sometimes bleed as a result.
This is referred to as gingivitis. Pocket depths of 4-5 millimeters usually makes it notable that you might have gingivitis. Typically, if bacteria is left in periodontal pockets over long periods of time, bacteria will take apart the bone supporting the teeth.
The decay of bone and gum tissue is called periodontitis and is diagnosed by pocket depths of 5 millimeters or more.
Our Rancho Cucamonga Dentist often times will recommend routine cleanings that will help get rid of the plaque and bacteria missed during regular brushing and flossing at home. If the periodontal disease has progressed to the point that it might be periodontitis, our Rancho Cucamonga Dentist would highly suggest a scaling and root planning (deep cleaning).
To properly clean below the gums without discomfort, it is often times necessary for the hygienist to numb the area where they will scale and root plane. A few weeks after scaling and root planning, a follow-up cleaning and pocket measurements will be taken to help monitor improvement.
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