Periodontal disease, which is more commonly known as gum disease, is one of the more complex chronic oral health issues. That’s because the level of damage that it causes depends on the specific stage of disease, and treatment can range from a relatively simple deep cleaning to more involved, ongoing periodontal maintenance. For patients in Encinitas/San Diego, successfully treating gum disease typically involves two important aspects – dealing with the harmful oral bacteria that cause it and repairing any damage to your gums that may have occurred.

Eliminating Harmful Oral Bacteria

Harmful oral bacteria – the building blocks of plaque and tartar – are the main cause behind the formation of gum disease. These microbes can accumulate along your gum line and work their way underneath the tissues, settling on the surfaces of your teeth roots underneath them. The resulting infection in your gums can cause the tissues to recede from your teeth, making it easier for more bacteria to gather underneath them. Regardless of how severe your gum disease is, the most important step to treating it is to remove the cause of it by thoroughly cleaning away the harmful bacteria on your teeth roots.

Helping Healthy Gum Tissues Heal

The next step to restoring your healthy gums is to allow the healthy tissues that remain to heal. In some cases, treatments such as platelet rich therapy can help optimize this process, allowing you to restore your good periodontal health without the need for more extensive treatment. However, in more severe instances of gum disease, your periodontal tissues may have become so damaged that you require gum grafting to restore them. In many cases, advanced pinhole gum grafting can be completed with minimal surgery, greater comfort, and more successful results.

Learn How to Successfully Treat Gum Disease

Successfully treating gum disease is a personalized process, but it typically focuses on removing gum disease-causing bacteria and repairing any damage to your gums and periodontal ligaments. For more information, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kania by calling her periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.