Risk Factors for Gum Disease

By Pasadena Dental Implants Peter G. Cooper, DDS

November 17, 2021

Category: Oral Health

Tags: gum disease Periodontist

Gum disease, in its advanced stages, is the number one cause of tooth loss among adults, and although typically preventable, many factors put us at greater risk for the condition. To learn about everything we can do in spite of these we can reach out to our Pasadena, CA, periodontist Dr. Peter Cooper of Pasadena Dental Implants.

Poor Oral Hygiene

If we are not brushing and flossing our teeth daily and missing our regular in-office dental cleanings we are putting ourselves at risk for developing gum disease. Good dental habits are primarily aimed at reducing the buildup of plaque on our teeth, and the damaging bacteria that live among them. Bacteria live inside our mouth, but it's when plaque accumulates that bacteria begin to grow rapidly. This is when cavities can occur, along with damage to our gum tissue.

Age and Genetics

Age and genetics are two factors out of our control, so if we have a history in our family of gum disease, or we are older, then we must be even more diligent with our dental hygiene habits.

Hormonal Changes

Higher hormone levels in women can cause blood to rush to the gums, making them more sensitive to inflammation. So special care should be taken around these times, especially during pregnancy when the same advice of extra diligence with our dental care also applies.

Nighttime Grinding

Grinding our teeth at night can damage more than just our teeth, the trauma can also cause our gums to recede making gum disease more likely, or exacerbating it if it's already present. A custom-made nightguard from our dentist can help with the effects of teeth grinding.

Medication

Medications that can cause dry mouth can also make us more susceptible to gum disease. Saliva helps wash away plaque and bacteria from our teeth, so these medications can cause us to lose this extra level of defense.

Diabetes

With diabetes, the extra glucose in our saliva can feed the bacteria and help it propagate just as a diet rich in sugar and carbs will often do. Diabetes also affects the flow of blood to our gum tissue making it more difficult for it to heal from the infection.

Smoking

Smoking causes a similar problem as it affects our body's ability to fight off infections, and it has the further downside of masking many of the common symptoms of gum disease.

Gum Disease Treatment in Pasadena, CA

Being exposed to any of the above-mentioned risk factors is no reason to simply accept that we'll develop gum disease. Instead, it should be a sign that we should be more aggressive in our fight against it, with regular brushing and flossing and of course regular visits to our dentist.

So whether you wish to prevent or treat gum disease you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Cooper of Pasadena Dental Implants in Pasadena, CA, by dialing (626) 796-1241.

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What is a Periodontist?

By Pasadena Dental Implants Peter G. Cooper, DDS

December 30, 2019

Category: Periodontist

Tags: Periodontist

Does your general dentist want you to see a periodontist? In the Pasadena area, your best choice for gum care and dental implant placement is Dr. Peter Cooper of Pasadena Dental Implants. Highly trained in the latest treatments for periodontal disease, Dr. Cooper will help you have a healthy mouth and long-lasting smile.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease affects about 50 percent of Americans over the age of 30, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Targeting the gums, supporting ligaments, and underlying bone, periodontitis in its various forms is, in fact, the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States today. Furthermore, the Strep microorganisms that precipitate gum disease can cause dangerous inflammation throughout the body, contributing to diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and more.

Poor oral hygiene causes periodontitis as bacteria-filled plaque and tartar accumulate around and between teeth and under the gums. Other factors, such as smoking, a high-carbohydrate diet, heredity, and alcohol abuse, increase the chances of developing gum problems.

Symptoms of periodontal disease include:

Bad breath
Receding gum tissue and deep pockets between teeth and gums
Loose teeth
Pain upon biting and chewing
Swollen, red, and tender gums

What does a periodontist do?

In his Pasadena office, your periodontist, Dr. Peter Cooper, provides a wide range of dental services that promote healthy gums or restore them to full health. If tooth loss occurs, he can perform an appropriate treatment, such as dental implant installation or a bone/gum graft procedure. His oral surgeries include complex dental extractions, and he delivers individualized treatments for bite problems and loose teeth.

The most common gum disease treatments

Of course, prevention is the best and most effective treatment for gum disease, and this includes careful brushing/flossing, a high fiber diet, and drinking plenty of water. Additionally, Dr.Cooper and his team provide deep dental cleanings and root planing that remove soft plaque and hard tartar from below the gum line.

For more complex cases, Dr. Cooper:

Splints loose teeth
Grafts gum tissue over exposed roots
Augments deteriorated bone with the patient's own tissue or with donor or synthetic materials
Dental implant consultation, placement, and restoration

Contact Us

If you need treatment for periodontal issues, please contact Dr. Peter Cooper of Pasadena Dental Implants for an appointment: (626) 796-1241.

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What is a Periodontist?

By Pasadena Dental Implants Peter G. Cooper, DDS

November 10, 2015

Category: Dental Health

Tags: Periodontist

Find out the purpose of a periodontist and when you should seek one out.

You’re experiencing painful, swollen or bleeding gums—where do you turn? While a regular dentist may be able to tend to your needs, if you are dealing with gum disease or requiring oral surgery such as dental implants then it’s important that you turn to your expert Pasadena periodontist Dr. Peter Cooper for help.

What is a Periodontist?

You may be wondering how a periodontist differs from a regular dentist. A periodontist is medical doctor just like a dentist, but the only difference is we specialize in diagnosing, treating and even preventing gum disease and other infections that affect the gums. We also handle issues such as oral inflammation and can even place dental implants to treat tooth loss.

In order to become a periodontist special training is required outside of the education you receive in dental school. This extra training helps us know the latest procedures, techniques and technologies to treat gum disease effectively and to perform certain oral surgeries.

When Should I See a Periodontist?

If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease, especially a severe case, there is no better place to turn than your oral surgeon in Pasadena. We are here to handle a variety of different cases and can perform everything from traditional scaling and root planing to the surgical removal of damaged tissue to treating infected gums. Since gum disease is also linked to other chronic health issues it’s important to address your oral health problems before they cause further complications.

Also, if you are missing one, several or all of your teeth and are looking for the best long-term treatment option to replace these permanent teeth then turn to your Pasadena oral surgeon to find out if dental implants are right for your smile. Implants are the closest you can get to natural teeth and are designed to last the rest of your life, if cared for properly.

Whether you have a more advanced case of gum disease or you are looking for a lifelong dental restoration it’s time you turned to Dr. Cooper in Pasadena for all of your dental needs.

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