Periodontics

About 3 million Americans are diagnosed with periodontal disease every year. Periodontitis is an infection that strikes the gums and, over time, can destroy the jawbone. It often starts quietly and progresses slowly, but when you can catch it early, you can dramatically reduce the risk of long-term problems. Our Los Angeles periodontics expert offers surgical and nonsurgical gum disease treatment options.

Gum disease is painless in its earliest stages, and you may not even suspect you have it. Regular checkups with our Los Angeles periodontist are one of the best ways to catch this common problem in its earliest stages when it is most effectively treated. Common symptoms of gum disease include:

• Gums that bleed easily, especially when you brush or floss
• Swollen, inflamed gums
• Gums that are tender
• Receding gums or teeth that look longer
• Chronic bad breath or a bad taste
• A change in bite or loose teeth

Periodontitis can strike anyone but is most common in those who smoke, have poor dental hygiene, have a family history of the condition, are pregnant or have diabetes.

Periodontics Los Angeles

When periodontal disease is still in its earliest stage, which is called gingivitis, it can often be reversed without any permanent damage. At this point, our expert in periodontics in Los Angeles may recommend a special deep cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing. Good dental hygiene and healthy habits are vital for healing your gums.

Once gum disease has advanced to periodontitis, you can begin to lose the bones and tissues that support your teeth. Chronic periodontitis is believed to affect nearly half of adults over the age of 30. Treatments may need to be more aggressive at this stage. Our periodontist in Los Angeles may recommend special antimicrobial treatments to combat the bacterial infection or surgery to tighten the gums around the teeth. You may also need gum or bone grafts to restore destroyed tissue, and some patients may need a full mouth reconstruction. Call us today to learn more or to schedule your appointment with our team.