Everything about Gum Disease

You can lose a tooth for many reasons. Dental caries is the one that most patients are aware of, but conditions such as periodontal disease endanger the health of your dentition and supporting structures.

Causes of Tooth Loss

Dental caries – As we mentioned above, one of the causes of tooth loss. It is a multifactorial disease. It occurs when you have a high intake of sugary foods and don’t brush your teeth. You must think that carbohydrates are the food of bacteria. If you don’t remove the particles, bacteria react to them and produce acids that destroy the dental structure. You will notice cavities, and if untreated, you may lose the tooth because it becomes irreparable.

Gum disease – When you don’t brush the plaque away, your gums become inflamed. You may notice mild bleeding when brushing or flossing (the first sign of gum disease). We will discuss this condition further.

Fracture – Depending on the severity, your doctor may or may not save the tooth. Vertical fractures are irreparable.

Agenesis – Dental agenesis is the natural absence of the tooth. It can be due to genetics or because of a syndrome. In this case, you did not lose the dental piece but never had it. 

Everything about Gum Disease

Since people are more aware of cavities, our periodontist in Los Angeles will discuss gum disease. As we mentioned before, it starts with the inflammation of the gingiva due to poor oral hygiene. Gum disease is the infection of the supporting tissues of your dentition, and we can divide it into three stages:

1. Gingivitis

It is the inflammation and irritation of the gums. It is a reversible condition, and you do not need to look for a periodontist near you to solve it. It is sufficient to take good oral care habits and perhaps undergo professional teeth cleaning (a dental hygienist may perform it). By brushing and flossing every day with the correct technique, you may reverse the condition.

2. Periodontitis

Periodontitis is when the bone is already affected. Dental plaque hardens, and bacteria keep infecting tissues around. It leads to a pocket between the gingiva and the root, where more bacteria infect. After some time, the gums recede. 

In this stage, you will also bleed when brushing and flossing, and you will suffer from bad breath. And due to gums recession, your teeth will look longer.

3. Severe Periodontitis

In this stage, your teeth will shift, and you will experience symptoms from stages 1 and 2 (with more intensity). The pockets are deeper than 4mm.

Your doctor will perform a procedure called root scaling and planing. It consists of eliminating the tartar from the roots to prevent bacteria accumulation and stop the infection. 

The gums and jawbone recede to the point that you need to look for gum grafting near you to protect your dentition. It is a procedure that a periodontics dentist will perform.

Getting to this point is unpleasant, and the procedures are uncomfortable. Our recommendation is to keep excellent oral care and visit your dental professional regularly (we suggest twice a year). We do not want our patients undergoing gum grafting in Los Angeles but undergoing preventative treatments.

We will help you and guide you along the way, but it is your responsibility to take your oral care seriously. A healthy mouth will improve your life quality and prevent you from expensive trips to the dentist.

Contact Us Today

You may contact us today for more information about periodontal procedures or about dental health overall. We offer a wide range of treatments to enhance your smile.