Your gums deserve the same tender, loving care that you give to your teeth. After all, they protect and support those chompers. Periodontics in Murrieta, CA, and elsewhere refers to those services that have to do with the structures supporting your teeth. Here, Dr. Valerie Scola of Scola Family Dentistry discusses how to keep your gums healthy so they can function as intended.

Periodontal Disease 

Healthy gums are generally pink, firm, and snugly hug the teeth. If your gums appear redder than usual or bleed when you brush or floss, you may have periodontal or gum disease.
Gum disease arises due to the result of plaque. This sticky film is constantly forming on our teeth. The bacteria in plaque feed off sugars and starches in our foods and drinks. If plaque isn’t removed with brushing and flossing, it can build up between the gums and teeth. Periodontal disease is a progressive condition:
● The first stage, gingivitis, is characterized by gum inflammation. Often, gingivitis doesn’t have any symptoms. This fact is what makes it so important to visit Scola Family Dentistry. So, we can evaluate and detect disease early when it’s easiest to successfully treat, and when its damaging effects can be reversed.● The second stage, periodontitis, is characterized by increasingly large pockets between the teeth and gums. In this advanced stage, both gums and bone are lost. Teeth can become loose in their sockets. In its advanced stages, the damage cannot be reversed.

Periodontist Care 

Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties. A periodontist practices periodontics, or the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal or gum disease. Prevention involves identifying and addressing risk factors for gum disease. For instance, as close partners with you and your family, our hygiene team will demonstrate techniques to remove plaque more effectively. Dr. Scola may discuss mouthwashes, and other antibacterial products and medications, to halt the progression of the disease and restore your health. We also use advanced imaging to detect underlying problems that may not be visible to the naked eye. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease that is present. Periodontal scaling and root planing present a conservative alternative to surgery to “deep clean” the pockets between the teeth and gums and to remove harmful bacteria from tooth roots.