Periodontics in Clovis, CA
When tooth decay goes untreated and spreads, it can get into the gums and cause a disease known as periodontitis. We have skilled dentists at Valley Dental & Orthodontics who practice periodontics and treat gum disease from its first appearance.
The Stages of Gum Disease
Periodontitis or gum disease has three stages:
- Gingivitis
- Periodontal disease
- Advanced periodontal disease
1. Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease that many people get. Some of the signs of gingivitis are:
- Tender, swollen gums
- Bright red gums
- Easily bleed when brushing or flossing
- Receding gums
Treating gingivitis involves diligently brushing and flossing teeth daily and visiting our periodontic dentists in Clovis, CA, every six months for exams and dental cleanings. This stage of the disease is reversible, but it takes persistence to treat it.
2. Periodontal Disease
If you don’t treat your gums properly, they can continue to become inflamed, and periodontitis will develop. The symptoms of periodontitis are:
- Pockets forming between teeth and gums
- Formation of plaque and tartar on gums
- Increased development of tooth decay
- Possible infection in gums
To treat this stage of periodontitis, our dentists will scale your teeth and gums to remove plaque and tartar buildup. They will also plane the visible roots of your teeth to make the surface smoother so that bacteria, plaque, and tartar have a more difficult time staying on the teeth and gums.
Our dentists may prescribe antibiotics to cure and prevent infections.
3. Advanced Periodontitis
When you have advanced periodontitis, our dentists near you will try to control the disease so that you don’t lose teeth. They may need to do pocket reduction surgery or flap surgery to tighten gums around teeth.
Also, they may do scaling and root planing to reduce bacteria, plaque, and tartar on teeth. Gum grafting may also be necessary to replace destroyed gum tissue.
If you have bleeding or bright red gums, make an appointment with our dentists to prevent the progression of gum disease.
