Maintaining healthy gums is crucial as they provide support to your teeth. Periodontal disease is a severe gum infection that should not be taken lightly. Periodontal disease has several phases it will progress through, with each stage presenting symptoms worse than the last. Infection of your gum tissue is easy to reverse when detected early. When allowed to develop and go untreated, periodontal disease can become quite severe and even spread through your bloodstream to other areas of your body. Our Natalie K. Provenzano DDS, Inc. team treats periodontal disease for patients visiting our office from the McLaughlin Avenue area of San Jose, California.
The Symptoms of Gum Disease
In general, gum disease may be hard to detect at first. Many patients first notice gum disease in the earliest stage, called gingivitis, when their gums bleed during teeth brushing. Other early symptoms of gum disease can include swelling and redness. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to the gum tissues beginning to shrink, jawbone loss, and tooth loss. When you visit our office, we will be able to provide a definitive diagnosis and prescribe an appropriate treatment plan that will restore your teeth and gums back to great shape!
Treatment for Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease can progress quickly and leave lasting damage to your smile if left untreated. When detected early, periodontal disease can be treated and even reversed using various methods. The recommended treatment from your dentist varies based on the condition’s severity and stage. If the disease is detected in its earliest stages, all that may be required is to refine your at-home oral hygiene routine. However, if periodontal disease is left unchecked, more intensive treatment may be necessary. Scaling and root planing are standard treatments for those with advanced gum disease. This is a deep cleaning that not only targets the teeth above the gum line but also below it. Cleaning bacteria that resides below the gum line will help restore the health of your gums. We can combine this deep cleaning with an antibiotic treatment to eliminate any infection that may have developed. Regular periodontal maintenance cleanings, combined with biannual cleanings and exams, will help ensure the ongoing health of your gums.
Schedule An Appointment Today!
If you believe that you have developed periodontal disease, have not had a dental examination in a long time, or if it is simply time for your twice-a-year cleaning and exam, please call our office today to schedule an appointment. We are happy to take your call at (408) 226-2542.