Periodontal Disease 

Patients of the South Pasadena, California, area who are worried about maintaining a healthy smile should be well-versed in conditions that can impact it. This includes the varying stages of an infection known as periodontal disease. By preventing periodontal disease, sometimes called gum disease, many patients can avoid a serious condition that can form due to poor oral hygiene and result in irreversible damage to the teeth and gums.

Drs. Gin Goei, Sharon Gabriel, Marissa Dykes and the Hygiene Team of Huntington Dental Excellence can educate you on this condition and the different stages that can develop. They can also help you learn more about the causes of gum inflammation and how you can reduce your risk.

Preventing periodontal disease

Good oral health habits are crucial to reducing one’s risk of periodontal disease. This means brushing and flossing daily and regularly visiting Huntington Dental Excellence to achieve and maintain oral health and wellness. Patients with certain health conditions, like diabetes, may be at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease and may need to see a dentist more often to reduce the risk of infection and inflammation. Poor oral habits are the primary cause of gum disease.

Understanding the four stages of periodontal disease

Below are the main stages by which gum disease can progress:

• Gingivitis. Periodontal disease begins here, characterized by red, swollen gums that can bleed easily when flossing or brushing. Bone and tissue damage has not yet started at this stage. It can be stopped before it worsens with good oral hygiene habits at home and routine visits to Drs. Gin Goei and Sharon Gabriel of Huntington Dental Excellence
• Early-stage periodontitis. Gingivitis can develop into early periodontitis if ignored, resulting in some small bone loss and mild inflammation in the gum tissue surrounding the teeth. At this stage, it often only affects one to three teeth, but it is still treatable with scaling, root planing, antibiotics, and improved oral hygiene practices
• Moderate periodontitis. When periodontitis is moderate, the infection worsens and destroys more of the bone and gum tissue. Typically, at this point, larger pockets of diseased tissue begin to form between teeth, and more bone loss starts to take place
• Advanced periodontitis. This stage of periodontal disease is the most severe and entails extensive damage to the gums, jawbone, teeth, and even facial bones. Rapid degeneration will occur if the deep pockets are not treated right away. Without our professional help at Huntington Dental Excellence, it can lead to substantial tooth loss or total tooth extraction

Learn how to guard your smile against illness and deterioration!

The common dental issues that impact the health and wellness of the smile include periodontal disease and tooth decay. Many patients can avoid these problems with proper care.

Make an appointment with Drs. Gin Goei and Sharon Gabriel to discuss preventative dentistry if you want to learn more about periodontal disease and safeguarding your smile!

We welcome new patients and provide care for patients in and around South Pasadena, CA. The office can be reached by calling (626) 382-2756 to speak with our friendly front office team to request a visit.

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