Periodontics Specialist
-
- Tweet
Murphy Dental Group
Cosmetic & General Dentistry located in San Jose, CA
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every two American adults over 30 has periodontal disease. At Murphy Dental Group in San Jose, California, Harjit Khehra, DDS, can treat your periodontal disease so you can avoid further complications, such as tooth infections, bone loss, or needing to have your tooth extracted. For questions on how to improve your oral hygiene and prevent periodontal disease, call the office today or schedule your appointment online.
Periodontics Q & A
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is a gum infection that can damage the surrounding structures of your teeth, such as your periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. When plaque accumulates on your teeth, your body’s natural response to the bacterial infection is to eliminate the bacteria in the plaque.
When this occurs, your immune system’s cells release substances that cause inflammation and bleeding in your gums. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms of gum disease, which include:
- Bad taste in your mouth or bad breath
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Loose or separating teeth
- Receding or bleeding gums
It’s important to practice good oral health habits because gum disease has been linked to a number of other health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
What are the different stages of periodontal disease?
There are three stages of gum disease:
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage where plaque begins to build up, causing your gums to become inflamed. At this stage, it’s easiest to reverse gum disease through daily brushing and flossing since no permanent damage has been done yet.
Periodontitis
At this stage, your gums begin to recede from your teeth and form pockets where food and plaque can get stuck and cause infection. If you don’t have proper dental treatment, it’s possible that your teeth’s supporting structures can become damaged.
Advanced periodontitis
This is the final stage of gum disease where the pockets between your gums and teeth are deeper, causing your teeth to become loose and potentially fall out.
Although gum disease can cause major oral health problems, it’s important to understand you can prevent periodontal disease by brushing your teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash daily.
What are common periodontal treatments?
Murphy Dental Group offers a variety of periodontal treatments to ensure optimal oral hygiene, such as:
- Dental cleaning: Dr. Khehra removes plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth.
- Scaling and root planing: This helps remove plaque and tartar from deep periodontal pockets.
- Gum grafting: This procedure replaces areas of lost gum tissue from gum recession.
Because gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, it’s important you visit Murphy Dental Group today or schedule your appointment online if you’re experiencing any symptoms of periodontal disease.
