Facebook logo
Request Request an Appointment Login Patient Login Find Us Like Us on Facebook Reviews Leave a Yelp Review Reviews Leave a Google Review Videos Watch our videos Pay Online Make Online Payment Call Map
Home
23456 hawthorne Blvd #210 Torrance, CA 90505
Animated cell phone (310)424-3100

Without Healthy Gums, Your Smile Won't Last!

Woman in dental chair looking at smile in mirror

According to a study published in 2012 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly a majority of American adults (30 years of age and older) have some level of gum disease. Between 2009 and 2010, estimates reached 47.2 percent, which equates to nearly 65 million people having mild, moderate, or severe periodontitis, another term for gum disease.

If you want to keep your teeth for life, you need to take good care of your gums. Healthy teeth are irrelevant if your gums can’t hold them in properly, and the number one cause of tooth loss is gum disease. Even worse, once gum disease appears, it’s far more difficult to restore. Luckily, preventing gum disease is simple with regular brushing, flossing, and visits to your dentist.

In the event that gum disease does appear, your dental team at Blue Coast Dental is prepared to help get your oral health back on track!

The Causes and Symptomsof Gum Disease

Patient receiving dental checkup

During your visit, you may have noticed your dentist relaying numbers to an assistant nearby. This is us measuring the pocket depth of your gums.

When gum disease develops, it’s not always easy to catch at first glance. That’s why, by measuring your pocket depth, we can determine how much the gum is receding from the tooth, a common symptom of gum disease. Other common symptoms include:

  • Red or swollen gums
  • Tender or bleeding gums
  • Loose or sensitive teeth
  • Painful chewing
  • Bad breath that doesn’t go away, even after brushing

If you notice any of the following symptoms or your pocket depth is more then 3mm, we’re prepared to help you get treated.

Have any Questions? Contact Us

Common Treatments for Gum Disease

Woman in dental chair smiling

If a patient has gum disease or a higher risk of developing gum disease, we typically have them come in more often than the average patient. Instead of coming in every 6 months, you may need to come in every 3 to 4 months to manage your gum disease. During these appointments, your dentist will perform gum disease therapy, which typically includes scaling and root planing.

To help your gum tissue begin regenerating, your hygienist cleans underneath the tissue to remove plaque buildup and smooths out the tooth roots beneath the gums. According to your periodontist, cleaning plaque from underneath the gums is just as important as cleaning above them, so it’s essential you stay committed at home.

If gum disease is particularly serious, we can also perform gum grafts before tooth loss occurs.

Your Periodontist is Here For You!

Smiling dentist outdoors

At Blue Cost Dental, we take gum health very seriously. That’s why we have all gum grafts and gum disease therapy performed by our expert periodontist, Dr. Peter Refela. Since we believe the gums require specialized care, we thought a specialist should be the one to provide patients care that’s customized to their needs.

After completing dental school and his residency at UCLA with a focus on periodontics, Dr. Refela became a very active member of multiple academies and societies centered around periodontology. When it comes to restoring your gum health, he’s the dentist you want to see.

The next time you think about skipping your at-home routine, remember how important healthy gums are for your oral health. The biggest risk to your smile is not the condition of your teeth, but the gums keeping them in place. We hope to see you again for your next appointment in the future!

Read other Newsletters Learn More
Have Questions? Complete this short form and we'll get back to you quickly.