Prevent Gum Disease from Stealing Your Smile
Heal Soft Tissue with Periodontal Treatment in Cerritos, CA
In the early stages, gingivitis causes your gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily, typically with little or no discomfort. At this point, proper home oral hygiene and professional gingivitis treatment can reverse soft-tissue inflammation.
If left untreated, plaque can spread and grow below your gumline, leading to periodontitis. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums, stimulating a chronic inflammatory response, causing ongoing damage to the tissues and bone that support your teeth. At this stage, periodontitis treatment at Tri-City Dental Care of Cerritos is essential for saving your teeth!
Understanding the Warning Signs of Gum Disease
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath or unpleasant taste
- Receding gums that make teeth appear longer
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Chronic pain when chewing or biting
- Pus or infection around your gumline or teeth
Factors That Can Threaten Your Gum Health
Gum disease is primarily caused by the buildup of bacterial plaque along and beneath the gumline. While plaque is the underlying cause, several lifestyle, health, and genetic factors can increase your risk and speed disease progression.
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Poor brushing and flossing habits
- Diabetes and uncontrolled blood sugar levels
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause
- Family history of periodontal disease
- Chronic stress and weakened immunity
- Certain medications that reduce saliva production
Advanced Gum Disease Care in Cerritos, CA
Scaling and root planing in Cerritos, CA, is a nonsurgical deep cleaning for gums at Tri-City Dental Care of Cerritos. It’s designed to remove plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria from beneath your gumline.
During the scaling phase, our dentists carefully clean periodontal pockets around your teeth to eliminate infection-causing buildup. Root planing smooths your tooth root surfaces, making it more difficult for bacteria and plaque to reattach.
Following initial treatment, we’ll likely recommend ongoing periodontal maintenance visits to help preserve your gum health. Unlike a standard biannual cleaning that prevents disease, this bleeding gums treatment in Cerritos, CA targets and removes harmful bacteria from below your gumline. Periodontal maintenance is typically scheduled 3–4 times a year to prevent disease recurrence and protect your oral health.
LANAP is the first and only FDA-approved, minimally invasive laser treatment for moderate to severe periodontal disease. Sometimes referred to as regenerative laser therapy (RLT), this alternative to traditional gum surgery uses the PerioLase® MVP-7™ dental laser to selectively remove infected tissue.
The highly focused laser light removes diseased tissue, eliminates bacteria, and stimulates your body’s natural ability to regenerate lost bone and connective tissue. LANAP offers a more comfortable regenerative treatment experience with faster recovery compared to traditional osseous surgery.
Laser Bacterial Reduction (LBR) is a gentle, noninvasive treatment that uses advanced diode laser technology to target harmful bacteria below your gumline. Often performed alongside routine dental cleanings, this treatment helps reduce bacterial levels, control inflammation, and support healthier gums.
The laser is directed into the gum pockets where harmful bacteria tend to accumulate. It quickly destroys bacterial colonies that traditional brushing, flossing, and scaling may not fully eliminate, helping reduce the risk of gum disease progression.
- The Exciting Benefits of Laser Dentistry
The Repercussions of Untreated Gum Disease
Untreated gum disease can progressively damage your gums, connective tissues, and jawbone that support your teeth, eventually leading to tooth mobility and tooth loss. Research has also linked chronic gum inflammation to an increased risk of systemic health issues, including heart disease, diabetes complications, and stroke. Early diagnosis and treatment at Tri-City Dental Care of Cerritos are essential for protecting both your oral health and overall well-being!