Close

PERIODONTITIS (GUM DISEASE)

Nearly 65 million adults in the United States have at least a mild form of periodontitis, or gum infection. At UDental’s Arcadia, California office, Dr. Steven Charng diagnoses and treats periodontitis with innovative techniques. He works with you to improve your oral health habits and curb the progression of periodontitis, as well as limit your future risk. If you’d like to learn more, call or use the online booking tool today and set up a consultation.

What is periodontitis?

Periodontitis is a very common, but also very preventable, form of gum disease marked by infection. Infected gums can affect the health and support of your surrounding bone and soft tissue that hold up your teeth. If you ignore the infection, it can lead to tooth decay and, eventually, tooth loss. Critically, periodontitis can lead to an increased risk for a heart attack or stroke.

What are the symptoms of periodontitis?

When healthy, your gums should be firm, light pink, and fit snugly around your teeth. Here are some signs and symptoms of unhealthy gums that could warn you about periodontitis:

  • Bad breath
  • Bleeding gums
  • Bright red or dark red gums
  • Changes to the fit of your bite
  • Loose teeth
  • Painful chewing
  • Pus forming between your teeth and gums
  • Receding gums
  • Spaces forming between your teeth
  • Swollen gums
  • Tender gums

There are several types of periodontitis, and they bring various levels of severity. However, if you notice any of those symptoms, especially if they recur, schedule an appointment to see Dr. Charng right away and find out what’s wrong.  

What are common causes of periodontitis?

The most common cause of periodontitis is poor oral health. If you’re not brushing and flossing regularly, plaque can build up around and in between your teeth and gums.

Plaque comes from bacteria found in your mouth combining with starches and sugars left behind by food. The plaque hardens if you don’t brush and floss it out, and the longer plaque hangs around, the more damage it can do to your teeth and gums.

Several factors can increase your risk of developing periodontitis, including:

  • Older age
  • Chewing or smoking tobacco
  • Hormonal changes (pregnancy or menopause)
  • Obesity
  • Substance abuse (drugs, alcohol)
  • Poor diet
  • Certain medications
  • Certain diseases
  • Genetics

How do you treat periodontitis?

The best way to treat periodontitis is to improve your oral health through professional in-office cleanings and healthy at-home habits.

Dr. Charng guides you on how to better take care of your teeth and gums, such as with better brushing and flossing techniques.

He also has a team of two hygienists with more than two decades of experience. They can provide you with thorough, comprehensive cleanings to reverse the effects of periodontitis.

If you’d like to learn more about periodontitis and how to lessen your risk, call or use the online booking tool today and set up an appointment.