1

Do You Have Periodontal Disease?

Treating periodontal (gum) disease promptly will help you avoid pain, receding gums, and tooth loss. Your Pasadena, CA, periodontist, Dr. Peter Cooper, can recommend treatments that will help you improve the health of your gums if you have periodontal disease.

Do you have periodontal disease?

More than 47% of adults in the U.S. have some form of periodontal disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease, can cause red gums, tenderness, receding gums, and bleeding when you brush or floss.

If the disease becomes more severe, the gums may pull away from the teeth forming deep pockets that fill with bacteria and debris. Painful infections that destroy gum tissue and the bones and ligaments that hold teeth in place can occur if you have severe gum disease. If the disease isn't treated, you may lose your teeth.

How is periodontal disease treated?

Often, a dental cleaning and better oral hygiene can reverse gingivitis. Cleaning and flossing your teeth daily removes plaque, a clear film that contains bacteria, and tartar, a hard deposit that forms when plaque remains on your teeth for as little as 10 days.

Depending on the severity of the disease, your periodontist may recommend one or more of these treatments during your visit to the Pasadena, CA, periodontal office:

Scaling and Root Planing: Also known as deep cleaning, scaling and root planing remove plaque and tartar above and below the gum line. Your periodontist will also smooth your tooth roots, which will make it hard for bacteria to stick to them. Antibiotics: Antibiotics kill bacteria and may help reduce pocket size. Oral or topical antibiotics may be prescribed during your treatment. Flap Surgery: Flap surgery closes the pockets around teeth. Your periodontist also removes plaque and tartar along the gums during the surgery. Grafts: You may need to restore lost bone or gum tissue with bone or tissue grafts. Dental Implants: Dental implants can restore teeth lost as a result of periodontal disease. Implants are small titanium posts implanted in your jawbone that serve as replacement roots. They're connected to dental crowns, restorations that replace the top parts of teeth.

Protect your oral health with periodontal disease treatment. Contact your periodontist in Pasadena, CA, Dr. Cooper, at (626) 796-1241 to schedule your appointment.

Pasadena, CA Dentist
Pasadena Dental Implants
175 S. El Molino, Suite 4
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 796-1241
Contact For Pricing Options!