Arestin®

Periodontal Gum Disease

Periodontal gum disease (or periodontitis) is a quiet condition that can slowly but surely erode your oral health. It’s an infection of the gums that starts out as plaque— an opaque film on the teeth that hardens to form tartar. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria that attack the soft tissue around the gums. This is the early stage of gum disease known as gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis becomes periodontitis which ultimately destroys the tissue surrounding your teeth and the bone that holds your teeth in place.

Except for bad breath and bleeding gums, there are often very few early warning signals of periodontitis. As mentioned earlier, the disease advances silently and often without pain, and before you know it, you might be losing your teeth and you don’t know why.

Tooth loss is only the most obvious indicator of gum disease. Scientific research has also discovered a link between gum disease and stroke, heart disease, diabetes – even an increased risk for pregnant women. When your gums become diseased, your entire immune system is affected.

In the past, fear of painful dental surgery has kept people with gum disease from seeking the care they needed. Thankfully, we can help.

At Milpitas Smile Design, we know how to treat periodontal disease in a safe and effective way that will keep you as pain-free and comfortable as possible. Don’t wait until this silent assassin runs its deadly course—call us at (408) 934-0693 for an appointment, and we’ll give you the treatment and tips you need to treat gum disease and stay periodontitis.

Periodontal Maintenance

Have you recently received treatment for gum disease or deep cleanings? If so, then maybe you’re feeling good about your oral condition. Your teeth have no plaque and tartar, and you won’t need to visit your dentist again for another 6 months, right?

Not exactly! Many patients aren’t aware that a periodontal cleaning every 3 or 4 months is the only sure way to keep gum disease from returning.

Periodontal maintenance is regularly performed at certain intervals after procedures such as scaling and root planing. This kind of maintenance includes the removal of plaque and tartar, scaling and tooth planing and polishing. Your dentist will determine the frequency that periodontal maintenance is needed for your oral health.

In most cases, our patients’ mouth health improves when they see us more than twice a year for some quality oral care tune-ups.

When Was the Last Time You Visited the Dentist?

Don’t wait for conditions like tooth pain or gum bleeding before you come to see us at Milpitas Smile Design. Regular check-ups can keep both your teeth and gums healthy to stave off diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis, which can erode your oral health over time.

Setting up an appointment with us is easy. Just fill out our appointment form or call us at (408) 934-0693.

Scaling & Root Planing

How Gingivitis Begins
Gingivitis (mild gum disease) is a common condition, but if left untreated, it can cause significant tooth and gum decay. Even the word “gingivitis” can strike panic in a patient’s mind.Here’s how it begins: plaque and tartar that sit on the teeth provide an environment that allows bacteria to thrive and multiply. The bacteria cause your gums to become inflamed and bleed. The condition becomes even more noticeable when you brush your teeth or sometimes when you eat. These are signs of an early stage of gingivitis.However, the reality is that the treatment for gingivitis is simple and performed right in your dentist’s office.

Scaling & Root Planing 
Gum disease is easily treated by having the hygienist scale and polish the teeth. But if left untreated, the condition will progress to periodontal disease and the teeth will need deep cleanings below the gumline. The difference between scaling and tooth cleaning and scaling and root planing is simple. A tooth cleaning is the removal of dental tartar and plaque from the tooth surface above the gums. Scaling and root planing is the process of removing tartar and plaque below the gums as well as smoothening the root surfaces and removing the infected gum tissue.Scaling and root planing (or deep cleanings) are usually done with local anesthetic so you are more comfortable during the procedure. The cleanings are also done in 2-3 visits depending on the severity or involvement of the gum disease. After the procedure, you may experience some mild discomfort or tooth sensitivity. Salt water rinses and a soft diet will help as your gums heal after the procedures.

At Milpitas Smile Design, you can count on us to provide gum disease treatment in order to keep your gums healthy. Of course, strong and consistent oral care habits afterward will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums!Schedule an appointment with our office to begin your steps towards a healthier mouth today!