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Posts for tag: Periodontist
Although tooth decay plays a role, periodontal disease, an advanced form of gum disease, is the most common cause of tooth loss among adults. A periodontist is a dental professional who offers specialized treatment for dealing with gum disease at every stage, as well as playing a role in prevention. The bacteria that damage our teeth are the same that can cause infections and harm our gums and potentially lead to erosion of bone and other tooth-supporting tissue. Learn more from our local Pasadena, CA, professional Dr. Peter Cooper of Pasadena Dental Implants.
Gum Disease
Plaque builds on our teeth every day, it's a substance made from our saliva and food particles that is teeming with bacteria. Over time it will harden into tartar, making it impossible to remove with a toothbrush. At this point the bacteria is already quickly replicating, causing infection and inflammation of our gums, in other words, gum disease. Our general dentist can help us to prevent it, but when seeking advanced strategies for managing the disease then we would turn to a periodontist.
Periodontist in Pasadena, CA
Treatment for gum disease when it's still in a very early stage can be as simple as a typical in-office dental cleaning, which can be enough to reverse the condition. Other more involved cleaning strategies may be required as the disease advances, techniques such as root planing and scaling, dental cleaning procedures which not only remove the bacteria but make it more difficult for it to return. Surgical intervention may be the next step for more severe cases when gum disease is far advanced. Our periodontist can also help us to recover from the effects of gum disease by offering restorations and other treatments.
Protect your smile, if you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease and if you live in or near the Pasadena, CA, area dial (626) 796-1241 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cooper of Pasadena Dental Implants.
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.
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.
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.
Pasadena Dental Implants
Pasadena, CA 91101
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