Spooky season is here, and we want to talk about something truly terrifying: periodontal disease. This widespread and serious disease can lead to discomfort and even tooth loss! In today’s blog, your Encinitas/San Diego, CA, periodontist talks about simple tips for avoiding the terror of gum disease, and how we can offer treatment with advanced laser dentistry.
The Link Between Sugar and Periodontal Disease
Halloween is a time of year where kids and adults alike tend to consume more sugar than normal. This is of course followed by the holiday season, another time of year where everyone is inundated with sugar. When we eat a lot of sugar, bacteria will break down the particles left behind in our mouths, which elevates oral acidity and coats the teeth in plaque. The buildup hardens with time into tartar and without removal, could inflame the gums to cause gingivitis and even periodontal disease. Without treatment, the disease grows in severity and could reach a stage known as periodontitis, which is linked to adult tooth loss.
Tips for Protecting Gum Health
We have a few tips for avoiding the terror of periodontal disease. We suggest you take time to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes, and to floss every evening. Cut back on the sugar in your diet and drink plenty of water if you have a sweet, as this helps rinse away the sugar particles. Better yet, opt for fresh fruit instead of candy to satiate your sweet tooth! You should also avoid tobacco products and see your general dentistry for routine cleanings every six months. If you begin to experience warning signs such as sore, red, and bleeding gums, or recession, then see our team right away. We will examine your smile and plan treatment to manage the disease and protect your smile from periodontitis.
Treatment with Laser Dentistry
Dental lasers, which we use in the LANAP, REPAIR with WaterLase, and Fotona systems, can allow our team to remove pockets of harmful bacteria and diseased tissues from your smile, reshaping the gum in the process and making the disease manageable with preventive actions moving forward. This provides care with precision and comfort, and the treated areas heal quickly as we don’t need scalpels or sutures at all. In fact, sometimes procedures rarely use anesthesia due to the comfort and precision of the dental lasers.
If you have any questions about avoiding the terror of periodontal disease, then contact our team today.
Schedule Your Visit for Periodontal Disease Prevention
We want you to enjoy the spooky season and the upcoming holidays without leaving your gums at risk of periodontal disease. To learn more about safeguarding your oral health, or to schedule a consultation with our team, then call Dr. Ann Kania in Encinitas, CA, today at 760-642-0711.