Periodontal Treatment in San Diego
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an infection of the gums that puts otherwise healthy teeth at risk.
If your teeth don’t have a healthy, strong foundation, gum disease can take its toll and you may even face the loss of one or more teeth.
How Does Gum Disease Start?
Periodontal disease is an infection that damages the gums and bone that hold your teeth in place. Most often, the infection is the result of improper oral hygiene and avoiding regular visits to the dentist for cleanings and exams.
During the day, a sticky film called plaque coats your teeth, giving bacteria a place to grow. Plaque that's not removed regularly with brushing and flossing is bad for your teeth. It coats the surface of your teeth and gets under your gum line. It also collects bacteria that cause cavities. But regular at-home oral hygiene and regular professional dental cleanings work together to help prevent tooth decay.
Plaque that is allowed to remain on your teeth and harden into calculus. Calculus is a very hard substance that cannot be removed with at-home hygiene. Only a dentist or dental hygienist can remove it using specially designed dental tools.
Which Type of Dental Cleaning Do I Need?
Every patient here at Peak Dental is an individual with unique needs. We’re committed to making sure all our patients receive personalized treatment that fits those needs. Whether you currently have gum disease or you just want to maintain a healthy smile, we offer the type of cleaning you need.
Routine dental cleanings should be a part of everyone’s oral health care routine. When combined with proper at-home oral hygiene and a healthy diet, regular professional cleanings are your best defense against developing gum disease. For most patients, we recommend these routine cleanings twice a year.
If you currently have gum disease, we would recommend a deep cleaning. This procedure is also referred to as scaling and root planing. During a deep cleaning, one of our hygienists will gently clear away any bacteria and smooth the surface of the teeth to remove spots where they can collect. We will clean the treated area with an antibacterial rinse, ensuring that all bacteria are gone, and giving your teeth a fresh, clean start.
Once you’ve been treated for periodontal disease, we'll customize your cleaning schedule to optimize your oral health and closely monitor the condition of surrounding gum tissue and bone.
Please Call for Your Next Cleaning
If you are due for your next cleaning or suspect you may have gum disease, please call our San Diego dental office to arrange your next appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
One of the first and most obvious symptoms of gum disease is bleeding gums. You may also see other signs that gum disease is present, like red, tender, or puffy gums.
It's important to recognize that you have gum disease and take steps to treat it. However, one of the reasons that gum disease is so prevalent is that there are often no noticeable symptoms at all.
You can see why we strongly recommend routine exams and cleanings—these preventive services are the most effective way to identify gum disease early before it has done too much damage. If we catch it soon enough, gum disease can easily be treated, removing the infection and minimizing the risk of future problems.
Gum disease doesn’t go away by itself, and you can’t prevent it just by brushing and flossing more, although that’s always a good idea! The only way to prevent gum disease or treat it when it occurs is with routine professional dental cleanings.
Once you’ve had gum disease, you are always at risk for getting it again. Please call our San Diego dental office for an appointment, and we’ll be happy to perform a thorough exam and cleaning to prevent and treat gum disease.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Duc Nguyen
Born in Philadelphia, Dr. Duc Nguyen is a graduate of NYU College of Dentistry. Following graduation, he furthered his training with a General Practice Residency at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. It was there that he received the prestigious Resident of the Year award. After completing his education in New York, Dr. Nguyen moved to the San Diego area and has been practicing here ever since.
Dr. Nguyen is dedicated to treating all his patients with respect for their individual oral health needs. He respects your time and wishes and believes that we ...
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