Periodontal Gum Health

Gum disease has been linked to problems with the heart, lungs, and brain. It also promotes complications for pregnant women and diabetics. In most cases, poor oral hygiene is the main causes of gum disease. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, certain illnesses, and an unbalanced diet can also contribute to the condition. Gum disease is progressive, and it has no cure. This means, once you develop gingivitis, unless you seek treatment, your gum disease is likely to worsen. People often notice bleeding gums when brushing and flossing, or swollen, red, sore gums. Bad breath is also a sign. Oftentimes, no symptoms are present, and gum disease is initially diagnosed during a dental cleaning. Extreme cases, however, will ultimately cause tooth loss, as well as death of gum and bone tissue. These cases are referred to a periodontist, who specializes in treating the supporting structures of teeth.

If you notice symptoms of gum disease, schedule an appointment with Dr. Zhou immediately. He and our hygiene team can help you gain control of the disease and restore damaged tissues. We also help patients manage the condition with our soft tissue management program. If you have gum disease, we’ll recommend a deep cleaning, followed by more frequent cleanings to ensure successful treatment.

A deep cleaning consists of scaling, to remove plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from the teeth and just below the gum line. The second phase is root planing, which involves smoothing the rough ridges on the roots of teeth. Root planing removes areas where plaque and tartar tend to build up, which deters bacteria from gathering, multiplying, and causing more tissue damage.

People who are at higher risk for gum disease include those undergoing hormonal changes, such as during puberty or pregnancy; people who have diabetes, take certain medications, suffer from dry mouth, or are undergoing chemotherapy; those with asthma who use an albuterol inhaler; and anyone who smokes or drinks alcohol in excess. To support good gum health, brush twice and floss once a day, and use an anti-bacterial mouth rinse. Plaque can hide on your tongue, so adding a tongue scraper to your hygiene routine can be beneficial, as well. Also, attend six-month checkups and cleanings at PearTree Dental, so we can spot the condition in its early stage, when treatment is most effective and least invasive.