Gum Disease

Painful gums, bad breath, and loose adult teeth are all signs of gum disease you should never ignore. The team at Los Feliz Dental Center in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California, provides advanced gum disease treatments like soft tissue laser therapy and deep cleanings under the direction of Brian Shahangian, DDS, and Bita Shahangian, DDS. Call Los Feliz Dental Center or book your examination and treatment consultation online today.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is a chronic infection of the soft tissues supporting your teeth: your gums. While dentists separate gum disease into several stages according to severity, there are two broad categories of gum disease that Los Feliz Dental Center treats:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a mild gum disease involving chronic inflammation of the gums. In this stage, gum disease is reversible if you change your habits and prioritize oral hygiene. 

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a severe gum infection. Your dentist determines the stage it’s in and recommends treatment accordingly. If periodontitis becomes severe enough, you can lose your adult teeth. 

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

Gum disease symptoms range from nearly undetectable to completely unignorable. They worsen as the disease progresses and the infection spreads. 

You should let the Los Feliz Dental Center team know right away if you experience:

• Persistent bad breath
• Bright red gums
• Bleeding when you brush
• Frequent gum bleeding outside of brushing
• Gum soreness
• Tooth sensitivity
• Painful chewing
• Loose adult teeth

Eventually, gum disease can cause gum recession. This means that pockets form between your gum tissue and the roots of your teeth. Bacteria can seep into these pockets to worsen the infection. 

What are my options for gum disease treatment?

Los Feliz Dental Center provides several advanced options for gum disease treatment if you cannot reverse the condition with standard teeth cleaning alone. The team reviews your periodontal treatment options after examining your gums and teeth. Your treatment recommendations might include:

A deep cleaning

Also called scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning is more thorough than a standard teeth cleaning. Your dentist removes plaque from the surfaces of your teeth and in your gum pockets before etching the roots of your teeth to help your gums reattach. 

ARESTIN®

In combination with scaling and root planing, the team might use an antibiotic called Arestin to kill the bacteria that causes gum disease inflammation. 

Soft tissue laser

A soft tissue laser is an energy-producing device that kills bacteria in your mouth while simultaneously removing diseased tissue. The heat from the laser cauterizes blood vessels in the area, so you don’t need any stitches. 

Schedule an appointment over the phone or online at Los Feliz Dental Center to review your gum disease treatment options today.