Gum Disease Treatment Dentist El Cajon CA - Preventive Dentistry El Cajon

Gum Disease Treatment in El Cajon, CA

Gum Disease Treatment El Cajon CAGum Disease and Tooth Loss

Although people assume tooth loss is mostly due to decay, the most common reason is periodontal (gum) disease. Treatment for infected gums needs to begin during the moderate stages; otherwise, teeth may not be able to be saved from a prolonged and severe infection. As pockets of bacteria accumulate in the gumline, bleeding from the gums will occur when brushing or flossing. The sooner you seek periodontal treatment, there are easier, nonsurgical treatments that will be effective to combat the problem. Otherwise, surgery may be necessary.

Gum Disease Can Contribute to More Serious Problems than Tooth Loss

Medical research has arrived at the conclusion that gum disease plays a role in serious conditions such as heart and lung problems, diabetes, and stroke. As these conditions are potentially fatal, dentists now consider periodontal disease a bigger problem than losing your teeth. Even more astounding is the projection from the American Dental Association that 80% of Americans have infected gums. The bacteria in the gums enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body, affecting vital organs as well.

The American Academy of Periodontology notes: "Studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases."

Treating the Problem

You will be pleased to know there are other approaches than surgery to treat gum disease. We emphasize the importance of starting gum disease treatment in the early stages to avoid surgery and use nonsurgical means to halt the infection. Both types of treatment are generally allowed by dental insurance.

Problems from Tooth Loss

People seem to think there's no problem with having a few teeth missing. But missing even one tooth can cause other problems. The adjacent teeth can start to shift or become loose without the support of that tooth. Depending on where the missing teeth are, your chewing may not be complete, meaning you do not obtain as many nutrients as you would with a full set of teeth. If chewing becomes too difficult, softer foods may be consumed more often. Often these foods are higher in calories, less nutritious, and will result in weight gain.

Appearance can be affected over time without all your teeth. The jaw and cheek areas do not have the necessary support and begin to sag, making you look older than you are. Pronunciation of certain words can be lisped, slurred, or simply embarrassing, as teeth play a role in having clear speech. Dental implants are an excellent replacement for missing teeth, whether they need to be inserted in the front or back of the mouth. They come up through the gums giving them the appearance of real teeth. They are very natural looking and blend in with your other teeth for a beautiful smile.

Gum Surgery Can Be Avoided

If you have been told you need gum surgery, there is an alternative approach that will correct the problem. Today's laser technology is nearly a miraculous solution with a less invasive approach that produces positive results in most cases. We have treated many patients with our FDA-approved laser, and they have been astonished that the treatment is virtually painless as well as successful in returning the gums to a healthy state. As an added plus, this process can regenerate some of the bone mass in the dental arches that has been lost due to years of gum disease.

We can help arrest your gum disease and bring your smile back to health. Give us a call today at (619) 442-8841.