Gum Disease Livermore, CA
Gum disease is a serious condition that can infect the gums, destroying the jaw and underlying bone. There are many ways to prevent gum disease and various treatment options for patients who acquire it. Effective and successful gum disease treatment involves detection in the early stages before any severe damage to the gums, bone, or jaw can occur.
Gum disease treatment is available at Livermore Dental Spa in Livermore and the surrounding area. We can help diagnose and treat gum disease while providing patients with tips on how to maintain a healthy oral cavity. Call us today at (925) 344-3993 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
Understanding Gum Disease
According to the American Dental Association, gum disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is not always accompanied by pain—meaning that patients may not even know that they have it.
Usually, gum disease is caused by a poor oral hygiene routine that allows an excess of plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) to build up on the teeth. When plaque hardens under the gumline into tartar, it becomes more difficult to remove. At this point, the patient will be unable to remove the plaque and tartar without professional dental cleaning.
“Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease or periodontitis, is not always accompanied by pain—meaning that patients may not even know that they have it.”
Preventing Gum Disease
Although poor oral hygiene is the main cause of gum disease, there are a variety of risk factors that can increase an individual's chances of acquiring gum disease. These risk factors include:
- Smoking
- History of gingivitis
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Obesity
- Genetics
- Some types of medicines
However, as plaque is the greatest perpetrator, practicing adequate oral hygiene habits can prevent the development and progression of gum disease. We, along with most dentists, recommend that patients brush their teeth at least twice daily, floss at least once a day, and rinse preferably after every meal.
We suggest brushing, flossing, and rinsing after each meal for patients with early signs of gingivitis or developing gum disease. We will also recommend or prescribe the patient a special gum restorative system to use at home to nourish and restore the gums. It is highly crucial that patients visit their dentist for a routine biannual checkup and cleaning appointment to detect any early signs of gum disease and clean the oral cavity professionally.
“We suggest brushing, flossing, and rinsing after each meal for patients with early signs of gingivitis or developing gum disease.”
Common Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease is an advanced condition that is usually diagnosed early when a patient exhibits signs of gingivitis. However, patients may not experience pain or noticeable symptoms. Thus, without regular dental visits, the patient may not realize they have gum disease. Healthy gums are light pink and hug the teeth snugly, whereas unhealthy gums are typically discolored and soft. This is often the first sign a dentist or a patient themself may notice.
The American Dental Association lists the common signs that signal a patient may have gum disease:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste
- Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
- Any change in the way the teeth fit together when the bite is closed
- Any change in the fit of partial dentures
“Healthy gums are light pink and hug the teeth snugly, whereas unhealthy gums are typically discolored and soft.”
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Gum Disease in Livermore, CA
Treating Gum Disease
The earlier signs of gum disease are detected, the less invasive treatment procedures are. These may include antibiotics, root planing, and scaling. Antibiotics can help control infection and can be administered either topically or orally. Root scaling and planing are often performed together. While root planing smoothes the root surfaces to remove bacteria and discourage further buildup, root scaling removes tartar and bacteria from the tooth surfaces and beneath the gums.
More advanced gum disease may require more invasive solutions, such as oral surgery. Treatments may involve bone grafting, guided tissue regeneration, pocket reduction surgery (also known as flap surgery), soft tissue grafts, and tissue-stimulating proteins. Bone grafting and guided tissue regeneration may help promote bone regeneration. Pocket reduction surgery may allow for more effective root scaling and planing, while soft tissue grafts may reinforce damaged soft tissue. Finally, tissue-stimulating proteins may help stimulate the growth of healthy bone and tissue.
“The earlier signs of gum disease are detected, the less invasive treatment procedures are.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. How can I treat gum disease?
Q. How can I prevent getting gum disease?
Q. What are common signs of gum disease?
People Also Ask
Q. What should a home oral care routine include?
Gum Disease Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half of all adults in the United States have some form of periodontal disease. This number increases with age, with 70% of adults 65 years and older reporting to have the condition. Furthermore, it is more common among men than women. To address such problems, the CDC is working with organizations like the American Academy of Periodontology and the American Dental Association to "improve and sustain surveillance of periodontal disease in the adult U.S. population."
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half of all adults in the United States have some form of periodontal disease.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is gum disease curable?
A. Gum disease is reversible in mild to moderate cases in which the infection has not caused severe side effects, such as tooth loss. Periodontal disease, the advanced stage of gum disease, is not reversible. It is important to undergo treatment immediately after a diagnosis to prevent further progression of the disease.
Q. What is the link between gum disease and cardiovascular disease?
A. The mouth is one of the main entryways to the rest of the body and any bacteria, good or bad, travels through the airways to the respiratory system. Plaque is an extremely harmful bacteria that can clog arteries and the heart valves, causing cardiovascular problems.
Q. How can I treat gum disease at home?
A. There are many at-home treatments for gum disease today, including special tools and mouthwashes that help strengthen the gums and remove plaque. However, no at-home treatment trumps professional dental cleanings. We use medical-grade tools made especially for the teeth and gums and have the necessary training to combat oral disease and infection. Even a simple routine dental cleaning can reduce or eliminate gum disease by clearing the pockets and minimizing depths.
Q. How much does gum flap surgery cost?
A. Flap surgery, also called surgical pocket reduction, is considered a minor surgery. The surgery typically costs between $1,000 to $3,000 for patients paying out-of-pocket. Most insurance plans cover gum disease treatment as it is a severe condition that can put a patient's oral health at risk. We encourage patients to talk to their insurance provider to fully understand what their plan entails.
Q. What if gum disease is left untreated?
A. When gum disease goes untreated, the infection inevitably spreads and destroys more of the gums, underlying bone, and jaw. That is why loose teeth and tooth loss are common complications of the disease. Gum disease can also result in cardiovascular and respiratory issues as plaque travels through the mouth to the airways and valves within our other body systems.
Scan here to view this page, Gum Disease, on mobile
Gum Disease Terminology
Learn More Today
Gum disease may lead to worse oral health problems further along the line. We at Livermore Dental Spa may be able to help. Call us today at (925) 344-3993 to schedule an appointment and learn more.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2024
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2024
About our business, license, and website security
- Livermore Dental Spa was established in 2023.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Alameda County, Contra Costa County and San Joaquin County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Livermore, Alameda, Pleasanton, Dublin, Ulmar, Tracy, San Ramon, Danville, Mountain House and Castro Valley
- CA (License #101519). View License Information and Specifics
- National Provider Identifier Database (1679095681). View NPI Registry Information
- Healthgrades. View Background Information and Reviews
- Norton Safe Web. View Details
- Trend Micro Site Safety Center. View Details
Scan here to open directions to Livermore Dental Spa on mobile
Back to top of Gum Disease
Related Posts
Invisalign®: Better For Adults Or Teens?
Invisalign® has been a game-changer in orthodontic treatments, offering a more discreet and comfortable solution for teeth alignment. While people may wonder if Invisalign is a more effective treatment for teens or adults, there are multiple factors to determine whether a patient is a candidate for Invisalign.One of the significant benefits of Invisalign is its…
Advantages Of Invisalign Over Traditional Braces
Invisalign® has emerged as one of the most popular alternatives to traditional metal braces. These teeth-straightening devices are virtually invisible when worn, as their name suggests, yet they can fix many of the teeth alignment issues braces have historically been used for.Examples of orthodontic issues Invisalign can be used to fix include crooked, crowded, poorly…
Is All-on-4 Considered An Invasive Surgery?
All-on-4 surgery replaces all the teeth in a dental arch with fixed dentures. The dentures are held in place by four implants in the jaw. If the person is missing all their teeth, they will need to have four implants in each jaw.Getting a single dental implant is a process that requires one or more…
A Guide To Successful Invisalign® Treatment
Many looking to straighten their smile are drawn to Invisalign® clear aligners because they see them as a discrete alternative to braces. While they are a convenient and effective alternative, how well they work depends on the user. Getting the results you want from Invisalign requires following some important directions. Here is an overview of…
Explore additional topics covered on our website:
Call Us Today
Scan here to call Livermore Dental Spa on mobile