August 1, 2018

You may be a person who is fastidious in caring for your teeth – you brush after every meal and make sure to floss every day. By also getting in to visit your periodontist every six months, you can significantly lower your risk of gum disease. Even if you are not the best at cleaning your teeth every day, simply scheduling regular visits with Dr. Ann Mineo Kania can help to keep gum disease at bay. While it is a common problem for adults in the United States, treating it quickly is important for a few reasons.

The Stages of Gum Disease

Gum disease starts off as seemingly harmless. If left untreated, however, it can lead to serious issues. There are three main stages to this disease:

Gingivitis: Gingivitis is indicated with bad breath and gums that can bleed when brushing or flossing. Pockets also develop around the gums, although they are shallow at first. Good brushing, flossing, and visiting the periodontist can help.

  1. Periodontitis: Symptoms of periodontitis include inflamed gums and slightly deeper pockets. Gums bleed more during cleaning procedures and may start to recede. Scaling and root planing may be necessary to clean the teeth and help the gums to reattach.
  2. Advanced Periodontitis: At this stage, the gums may ooze and there are deeper pockets around the teeth. Some teeth may be at risk of falling out.

Treatment Options

The good news is that gum disease is quite treatable, especially if you catch it in the early stages. Much of the success of treatment depends on you and how willing you are to step up your oral care routine at home – but Dr. Kania and our friendly staff can help you understand the proper techniques to getting rid of this disease.

Schedule Your Appointment Right Away

Regular checkups are vital to keeping gum disease at bay. Contact our office in Encinitas, CA today to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Kania.

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