Gum Disease Specialist in Bay Area, San Jose, CA

Gum disease is an infection of the gums that damages the soft tissues and can lead to bone loss. It begins with Plaque and tartar buildup. Plaque is caused by the sticky film of bacteria that forms on our teeth; these bacteria release toxins that infect the gum tissues and bone structure. The first stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, is when the gums become red and swollen and bleed easily. Fortunately, this can be reversed, and usually eliminated, by a professional dental cleaning and daily brushing and flossing. Left untreated, gingivitis will progress to an advanced gum disease called periodontitis, which can result in damage to the teeth and bones, as well as more serious health problems. 

The main stages of gum disease are:

Gingivitis: the first, and only reversible, stage of gum disease. Bleeding, red, and swollen gums are the tell-tale signs. As most symptoms of gingivitis are painless it often goes unnoticed, so good oral hygiene and regular dental exams are essential to prevent, treat and reverse the symptoms.

Minor Periodontal Disease: not reversible but can be managed. At this stage, the bacteria are more aggressive leading to bone loss. Scaling and root planning can be used to deep clean below the gumline.

Moderate Periodontal Disease: the infection has gone deeper into the gums, with more bacteria attacking the bones and entering the bloodstream. Scaling and root planning can be used for a thorough deep clean.

Advanced Periodontal Disease: the infection has evolved and the bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the gum tissue, potentially causing other health issues. Gum recession, tooth loss, and bone loss are likely at this stage. 

There are several ways your dentist can treat gum disease, depending on its severity:

Professional cleanings. Your dentist will remove plaque buildup and tartar from the teeth and roots, followed by a polish and fluoride treatment. Scaling and root planning can also be used for a deep clean below the gumline.

Antibiotics in the form of a mouthwash, gel, or oral tablet may be prescribed to help with persistent gum infections that haven’t responded to cleanings

Follow-up appointments should be scheduled for a few weeks after the initial treatment, and then every three to six months after that to assess your progress. If signs of periodontal disease are still present your dentist may recommend other treatment options, like surgery.

Surgery. A procedure called flap surgery may be recommended to clean deposits under your gums. Under anesthesia, your gums are lifted from the roots of your teeth which are then cleaned before the gums are stitched back into place. A procedure called bone grafting may be done at the same time as flap surgery to regenerate any bone that has been lost.

If gum disease is left untreated it can destroy the bones in the jaw, leading to teeth that may either fall out or need to be extracted. Other complications of untreated gum disease include:

• Painful inflammations, or abscesses, in the mouth
• The movement of the teeth into different positions which can interfere with eating
• Gums that recede and expose the roots of your teeth
• Increased risk of complications during pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia and low birth weight
• Increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Alzheimer’s Disease, and respiratory diseases such as asthma and pneumonia due to the continued infection causing a strain on the body’s immune system. 
 
If you have questions or concerns regarding gum disease, contact Selective Dental today! We offer a wide variety of dental services. Call us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from all over Santa Clara County CA: San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Campbell, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos, and beyond.