Did you know that gum disease in San Diego is a huge problem? In fact, half of Americans deal with gingivitis or advanced forms of this condition, making it one of the most common dental maladies. And, since it can lead to tooth loss and other major smile issues, preventing this issue is essential for your oral health. That’s why the team at Mod Squad Dental, your premier dentist in San Diego, teaches you the signs and symptoms of gum disease – and how we can treat it – in this post.
What Is Gum Disease?
Dr. Greg Friedman explains that gum disease is an infection or inflammation in the gum tissue, or gingiva. There are three stages of this disorder, and when caught early, gingivitis can be cured. The following list has details on the phases of this dental problem.
What Are The Symptoms Of Gingivitis?
The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. If we spot your gum problems in this phase, we’ll usually recommend increased flossing, additional dental cleanings, and medicated mouthrinses. The symptoms of gingivitis include:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss – even a little bit
- Gums that are swollen and red
- Bad breath
What Are The Symptoms Of Periodontitis?
As gingivitis gets worse, it turns into the second stage of gum disease: periodontitis. When this happens, we may need to use stronger techniques to restore the health of your gums tissue, like root planing and scaling. We can also apply the Chao Pinhole technique to address gum recession without scalpels or sutures. Be aware of the symptoms of periodontitis:
- Noticeably bright red gums
- Swollen, tender, or painful gums
- Space between the teeth
- Pus buildup between the teeth
- Continuous bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
- A shifting bite or loose teeth
What Are The Symptoms Of Advanced Periodontitis?
If your symptoms resemble those below, reach out to us right away for dental care, since tooth loss can happen at this stage of advanced periodontitis:
- Gums that bleed frequently and easily
- Gums that are markedly swollen
- Severely receding gums
- Exposed tooth roots
- Deep periodontal pockets
- Teeth that are misaligned or loose
- Loss of your teeth
When gum disease progresses to the third stage, we can use dental laser therapy to kill the infection and minimize the oral bacteria that is causing your dental health issue. This innovative technique allows for quicker healing and less invasive treatment, giving Dr. Friedman the ability to use pinpoint accuracy to treat affected tissue.
Now that you know the symptoms of gum disease and how we can help save your smile from this common dental problem, schedule your appointment with Mod Squad Dental to keep your grin healthy and radiant!