Gum disease is really a serious oral health problem that may also bring about different overall health complications. We frequently get individuals at our San Bruno, CA Periodontics Dentist office who definitely are already displaying indications of gum disease that can include inflamed or sensitive gums, bleeding while brushing or flossing, smelly breath, etc. But these patients don’t understand that these are typically signs and symptoms of periodontal disease.

In addition there are quite a few patients who know that these signs and symptoms suggest periodontal disease. Yet they postpone treatments as a consequence of having an unpleasant experience in the past because of invasive treatment.

Individuals no longer need to worry about treatment for periodontal disease, and you’ll be pleased to find out that modern, non-surgical periodontal treatment, like LANAP, make unpleasant cutting of your gums a thing of the past.

What exactly is LANAP?
LANAP is short for for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure, a patented technological advance which offers a patient-friendly alternative to gum surgery. To you this means significantly less discomfort and pain, greatly reduced treatment time, as well as a appreciably shorter recovery period.

Where can I acquire LANAP treatment?
I am very happy to have the ability provide this treatment right here in our San Bruno Dental Office. Normally, we schedule a no-cost consultation, outlining the way the laser operates and supplying you with a demonstration. Subsequently we take X-rays to help precisely analyze the particular severity of the infection.

What can I anticipate at the time of treatment?
On the day of this first procedure, we’ll numb the particular treatment area with a local pain-killer, eliminating any kind of potential discomfort. A very small laser fiber is introduced between the tooth and gum, and the infection is removed. This can be accomplished quickly, taking only two 2-hour sessions; the initial session treating one half of the mouth and the next dealing with the other. You will experience so little pain that you'll probably be capable of continuing with the remaining of your day as usual.

It is most essential to understand that Periodontal Disease may well progress with virtually no indications. Frequent exams as well as cleanings can certainly detect possible difficulties before they become costly and difficult to deal with.

New patients often come to our San Bruno, CA Periodontics Office showing the warning signs for periodontal disease but aren’t aware that these symptoms are an indication that gum disease is present. Three out of four people exhibit these symptoms. The good news, though, is that through prevention, periodontal disease can be eliminated.

 

How does periodontal disease develop? Throughout the day, bacteria build up on the teeth and around the gumline, developing plaque. Plaque is the sticky bacterial film coating enamel and oral tissue as we eat, drink, and speak. Flossing and brushing are useful for removing plaque build-up. Even the most diligent at-home oral health care, though, cannot eliminate plaque completely. When plaque remains on your teeth it hardens into a substance called tartar.

 

We’ve listed some of the more common signs of periodontal disease below:

• Gums bleed during brushing or flossing, or during gentle probing
• Gums appear swollen and red or inflamed
• Permanent teeth feel as if they are becoming loose
• Your dental bite (how your teeth fit together) seems to have changed in recent months
• Your gums seem to be “pulling away” from your teeth
• Teeth appear longer as gum tissue recedes
• Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth is an ongoing issue even after use of mouthwash or brushing your teeth

 

Even patients who take extra care with their oral hygiene can develop periodontal disease. While proper brushing and flossing remove much of the bacteria that lingers on teeth, at-home brushing alone cannot remove all the plaque. When plaque calcifies it hardens and becomes tartar. Tartar can only be removed by your dental hygienist.

 

The best “cure” for periodontal disease is prevention. Without professional cleanings, tartar continues to build up on teeth, causing dental decay, gum disease, and eventually tooth loss. Contact our San Bruno Dental Office to make an appointment for a comprehensive dental exam and professional cleaning. Working as a team, we can make periodontal disease a thing of the past.

Did you know that treating periodontal disease can not only help you maintain a healthy mouth, but gum disease treatment will also help prevent tooth loss? The truth is that, with prompt treatment, diligent at-home dental care, and routine visits to your San Bruno Periodontal dentist will strongly increase the odds of you keeping your teeth for a lifetime.

 

The types of periodontal treatments used depend largely on the extent of the periodontal disease. By catching the disease in its early stages, we may be able to use simple periodontal procedures to remove the plaque and calculus from below the gum line, disrupting the growth of the bacteria that causes infection. However, if the periodontal disease has progressed to the extent where periodontal pockets are deep in the gums and compromising supporting bone, more extensive treatment will be necessary.

 

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

Because periodontal disease is serious in nature and can advance quickly, any early warning signs should be referred to our San Bruno, CA Periodontics office promptly for treatment. Bleeding gums are most often the first obvious sign of the beginning stages of gum disease. Other symptoms you may notice are:

• Bad breath
• Reddened or sensitive, swollen gums
• Loose teeth or teeth that appear to have shifted

How does Gum Disease progress?

 

The three stages of gum disease are gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. Gingivitis will present with inflamed gums, and if not treated promptly can progress to the next stage, periodontitis. If you have Periodontitis, it means that bone and gum tissue holding your teeth in place have been irreversibly damaged. At this point, advanced periodontitis occurs, and there’s a good likelihood that you will lose some teeth.

 

Risks of Gum Disease

 

Gum disease has also been linked to a number of more serious general health issues including heart disease, respiratory disease, and pre-term pregnancy. It has also been found that If plaque around the teeth accumulate it can enter the bloodstream, leading to the formation of clots and cardiovascular diseases. Clearly, prevention is the key to your continued oral health as well as an important step in protecting your general health.

I see a number of patients at San Bruno Periodontal Dentistry who show visible signs of a problem (swollen or tender gums, bleeding when brushing or flossing, bad breath, etc.) but don’t realize that these are symptoms of periodontal disease. I also see patients who are aware that these symptoms suggest periodontal disease (gum disease) but have put off treatments because of past negative experiences with invasive treatment.

If you are showing signs of Periodontal Disease, you’ll be relieved to know that modern treatment methods, such as LANAP, have made invasive cutting of the gums and the resulting pain and discomfort a thing of the past.

What is LANAP?
LANAP is an acronym for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure, a patented technology that offers a patient-friendly alternative to gum surgery. For you this means less discomfort and pain, less treatment time, and a significantly shorter recovery time.

 

Where can I obtain LANAP treatment
I am pleased to be able to offer this treatment right here in our San Bruno, CA Periodontics Dentist Office office. In most cases, we schedule a complimentary consultation, explaining how the laser works and giving you a demonstration. Then we take X-rays to accurately diagnose the extent of the infection.

What can I expect on the day of treatment?
On the day of your first procedure, we’ll numb the treatment area with a local anesthetic, eliminating any possible discomfort. A tiny laser fiber is inserted between the tooth and gum, and the infection is cleared away. This is completed quickly, taking only two 2-hour sessions; the first session treating one half of your mouth and the second treating the other. You will experience so little discomfort that you'll probably be able to carry on with the rest of your day as usual.

It is extremely important to note that Periodontal Disease can progress without any symptoms. Regular examinations and cleanings can identify potential problems before they become costly and difficult to treat.