Treatment of gum disease in San Francisco for area residents
As a dentist, one of our biggest concerns is seeing the development of gum disease in the mouth of one of our patients. Gum disease, or periodontal disease, can affect patients for a variety of reasons, but is most often due to ineffective oral hygiene. If you do not brush, floss, or visit with the dentist regularly, you are putting yourself at risk for developing gum disease. For patients who do develop the condition, Dr. Arellano and his team offer a variety of treatments at their San Francisco office.
Gum disease treatment depends entirely on the stage of the condition when it is diagnosed. In its earliest stage, called gingivitis, treatment is usually a professional deep cleaning followed by a strict at-home oral health care regimen. Symptoms of gingivitis include bleeding during brushing or inflamed red gums.
If gingivitis is left untreated, it will advance into periodontitis. At this point, gum disease is no longer considered curable, although it can be controlled. Periodontitis can cause the gums to separate from the teeth, deterioration of the bone structure, and loose teeth that are susceptible to falling out or requiring extraction. Gum disease is one of the most common reasons that adults lose their teeth.
There are a few treatments available for gum disease depending on when it is diagnosed. For patients with gingivitis, a procedure called scaling and root planning is used to remove the hardened buildup from the teeth and around the gum line. Antibiotics may also be necessary to prevent or treat any infections.
Periodontitis may require surgical treatment to remove plaque deep below the gum line. Bone and gum grafts may also be required to restore damaged structure. The use of laser gum treatment may also be appropriate.
Call our office today at 415-881-4343 to schedule an appointment for a checkup; it’s never too late to take control of your oral health.
