Examining Your Periodontal Health

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is one of the most common dental diseases in the world today. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most destructive, and its advanced form, periodontitis, is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. Periodontal disease is most likely to develop in a susceptable host in the midst of poor oral hygiene, when dental plaque builds up excessively on a patient’s teeth and along the gum line. The germs within plaque release toxins that specifically target periodontal tissue (gums), and can incite inflammation that can lead to aggressive periodontal disease. As a periodontist in Encinitas, Dr. Ann Kania specializes in periodontal health, and helping patients preserve their smiles through diligent care and maintenance.

How Do Your Gums Look?

Next to preventing periodontal disease, treating it in its earliest stages offers the best chance of preventing extensive dental damage. Routine checkups and cleanings allow your dentist to thoroughly inspect your oral health and prescribe treatment if trouble is detected. Many people have no signs of periodontal disease. Others can spot the signs of periodontal disease by looking for specific symptoms, including;

• Red, swollen, and tender gums
• Bleeding gums, especially when brushing and flossing your teeth
• Loose and/or sensitive teeth
• Persistent halitosis (bad breath that won’t go away)
• Receding gums, which may make some teeth

Restoring Good Periodontal Health

As the first stage of periodontal disease, gingivitis describes the bacterial infection that causes your gums to swell and recede from your teeth. Certain mouth germs release toxins that can damage the connective tissues between your gums and your teeth, causing them to recede and form periodontal pockets where more bacteria can gather. Depending on the severity of your condition, Dr. Kania can restore your good periodontal health through an appropriate course of treatment. If caught early, gingivitis can be often be reversed with a non-surgical deep cleaning. Also known as a scaling and root planing, the procedure involves removing bacteria, plaque, and toxins from teeth roots underneath the gums, and then smoothing the roots to discourage bacteria buildup in the future. For more severe cases, Dr. Kania can expertly perform advanced periodontal treatment, often with lasers to eliminate the need for conventional surgery.

About Dr. Ann Kania:

As a board-certified periodontist, Dr. Ann Kania is specially qualified to diagnose and treat issues concerning periodontal tissue and the supportive structures of a patient’s smile, as well as place dental implants for patients with missing teeth. To seek Dr. Kania’s expertise, contact us at (760) 642-0711, or visit our Encinitas periodontist’s office.