Gum Disease

When should I suspect I have gum disease?

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection of your gums and other soft tissues in your mouth. Gum disease starts as gingivitis, characterized by puffy gums that bleed easily when you brush and floss.

As gum disease gets worse, the infection deepens. It affects the visible outer layer of the tooth that covers the roots, the ligaments that connect the tooth to the bone beneath, and the alveolar bone — the ridge of bone that contains the tooth sockets.

You’ll notice symptoms like:

• Constant bad breath
• Swollen, bright red gums
• Bleeding when brushing or flossing
• Pain when chewing
• Loose or sensitive teeth
• Gum recession

Good hygiene habits can reverse the earliest stages of gum disease, but as it gets worse, you’ll need professional treatment.

What causes gum disease?

In most cases, poor oral hygiene habits are responsible for gum disease. If you don’t brush thoroughly or regularly, floss between your teeth, and get regular professional cleanings, plaque can build up on your teeth. The plaque hardens into tartar, further inflaming your gums.

The irritated gums pull away from your teeth, creating pockets between the gum and teeth. Bacteria thrive in these pockets, causing more plaque buildup and deeper infection.

People at higher risk of developing gum disease include smokers, diabetics, and women going through dramatic hormone changes, like during pregnancy and menopause.

What is the treatment for periodontal disease?

Dr. Pechak’s goal is to stop gum disease and prevent it from spreading. How your gum disease is treated will depend on how severe your case is and how far the infection has spread.

Gingivitis

A good professional cleaning and proper at-home cleaning habits can reverse gingivitis. Make sure you brush twice a day, floss all your teeth at least once a day, and regularly schedule your in-office cleaning.

Moderate gum disease

For mild to moderate gum disease, scaling and root planing is the usual treatment. During this procedure, Dr. Pechak and the team at Perio & Implant Center of Monterey Bay and the Silicon Valley removes plaque and tartar from your teeth, and below the gumline.

The practice uses an ultrasonic scaler with hand scaling and is known as “ Scaling and Root Planing” and usually done by our skilled team of Registered Hygienists who are specifically trained and experienced in Periodontal Specialties. Using an  ultrasonic scaler, the Hygienist dislodges hard deposits, while our naturally antiviral house produced Ozone water gently flushes away debris and clears the debris. Bubbles created by the scaler also break up cell walls of bacteria to reduce the recurrence of infection.

You must maintain good hygiene habits at home following successful root planing and scaling and return for an evaluation so Dr Pechak can ensure the treatment is effective in blocking the progression of infection.

Severe gum disease

For severe gum disease, Dr. Pechak is certified in LANAP® (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure). This treatment, an alternative to invasive and painful gum surgery, uses laser light energy to remove diseased gum tissue and harmful bacteria. The laser therapy results in less pain and a faster recovery.  Many of our patients report little to no discomfort, and return to work the same or next day.

Gum disease treatment at Perio & Implant Center of Monterey Bay and the Silicon Valley clears up the infection and eases or eliminates gum pain. Call the nearest office or book online to evaluate your gums and get the best treatment today.