Protect Your Gum Health
Gum disease can destroy the soft and hard tissues in your mouth. Not only will this damage your smile, but lower your confidence as well. Fortunately, if you’re looking for gum disease treatments in the Los Angeles, CA area, look no further. At Behzad Abadi DMD, we perform periodontal care to help prevent gum disease from spreading further. Our dentist and our team offer deep cleaning services that help your body fight oral infection or gum disease.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a degenerative condition primarily caused by bacteria found in plaque. The bacteria inflame and infect the gum tissues, and if left untreated, can eventually lead to the gums pulling away from the teeth. Untreated gum disease has been known to cause issues such as bone loss, tooth loss, and gum tissue recession.
Signs & Symptoms of Gum Disease
It’s important to understand the signs of gum disease so that it can be treated as soon as possible. You may be suffering from gum disease if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Loose teeth
- Painful chewing
- Bleeding gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Receding gums
- Swollen and tender gums
If you think you may have gum disease, call our Encino office at (818) 990-5900 or our Downey office at (562) 862-8128 to schedule your appointment.
Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease doesn’t happen at once, it progresses over time. If left untreated, it can progress into serious stages:
- Gingivitis — This is the first stage and can be easily reversed if caught early. You may not experience any pain except for red swelling or inflamed gums.
- Periodontitis — If left untreated, gingivitis progresses to periodontitis. The bone and tissue supporting your teeth will wear down. You’ll experience severe pain and gum recession.
- Advanced Periodontitis — Most likely requires surgery since it’s the most severe stage. You’ll likely lose your tooth since the bone and tissue have sustained irreparable damage.
Periodontal Care Treatment
The treatment for your gum disease is based on your specific needs. Depending on the severity, our dentist may recommend:
Additional Dental Cleanings
Visiting our Encino or Downey, CA dental practice at least twice a year allows our dental team to catch the early signs of gum disease. If we catch it, we can perform additional dental cleanings to remove the bacteria and prevent further infection.
Improved At-Home Oral Hygiene
If Dr. Abadi caught your gum disease at the gingivitis stage, he may recommend additional dental cleanings at our office and educate you on how to take care of your teeth and gums at home. Improving your at-home oral hygiene and visiting our dental practice for regular checkups and professional dental cleanings can prevent your gum disease from furthering.
Antibiotic Treatment
With additional dental cleanings, we can provide you with antibiotic treatment to treat gum disease at the gingivitis or periodontitis stage. The treatment can help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria. To learn more if this treatment is the solution for you, schedule your appointment at our Encino office at (818) 990-5900 or our Downey office at (562) 862-8128.
Scaling & Root Planings
Deep cleanings, also known as scaling and root planings, are a non-invasive treatment that removes the harmful bacteria in your mouth. Deep cleaning can also stop the progression of gum disease and protect your smile. During the scaling process, your dentist will clean your teeth of any bacteria and plaque that has gathered over time. Afterward, we’ll perform the planing process. Your dentist will smoothen out the root’s surface, this helps prevent bacteria from progressing in the pockets caused by infections and continuing attacking.
Gum Surgery
If the severity of gum disease has receded from your gum, Dr. Abadi recommends undergoing gum surgery. While cosmetic, it’s also a medical procedure. Gum surgery allows Dr. Abadi to reshape and repair your gum. During the procedure, Dr. Abadi will get a piece of healthy gum tissue from you or a donor source and plant it into the receded areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes gum disease?
Certain lifestyle habits can contribute to the likelihood of gum disease. These factors contribute to affecting your gum health:
- Smoking
- Stress
- Diabetes
- Poor nutrition
- Certain medication
- Clenching and grinding teeth
- Dry mouth from high blood sugar
Will my dental insurance cover my gum disease treatment?
Most insurance should be able to cover a portion of the gum disease treatment cost. We recommend speaking to your insurance provider beforehand to learn more about the policy and coverage. We also offer flexible financing options so you don’t delay your treatment.
We Can Restore Your Gum Health
If you believe you are suffering from gum disease, Dr. Abadi and our dental team can help. Call our Encino office at (818) 990-5900 or our Downey office at (562) 862- 8128 to schedule a consultation with our dentist today. We’re proud to offer services in Encino and Downey, CA as well as areas including Calabasas, North Hollywood, Lakewood, Buena Parks, and East Los Angeles, CA. We look forward to restoring your gum health.