One of the most critical aspects of preventative dentistry is ensuring that serious dental issues never arise. Your gums require as much attention as your teeth, and practicing good oral hygiene at home between your twice-yearly visits to your general dentist’s office is essential. That means giving equal attention to your gums and teeth.
Dr. Michael Miyasaki works very hard to ensure serious dental problems never occur. Preventing gum disease (gingivitis, periodontitis, and periodontal disease) is vital to the health of your mouth and your physical health overall. Twice-yearly dental cleanings and exams will help to keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay. Should a problem arise, the sooner it’s treated, the better, so if you’re overdue for a dental exam and teeth cleaning, please contact Miyasaki Dental today.
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Stages of Gum Disease
Gingivitis is the medical term for early gum disease, and periodontal disease is the medical term for advanced gingivitis where there is damage to the gums supporting the teeth. When left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to:
- Stroke
- Cardiovascular issues
- Some types of cancer
- Some types of cancer
- Cardiovascular issues
- Stroke
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) describes periodontal disease as primarily the result of infections and inflammations of gum tissue and bone structure surrounding your teeth. The earliest manifestation is often diagnosed as gingivitis, where the gum line is red and swollen.
There have been studies to show that periodontal disease could lead to an increased risk of stroke. According to studies presented in 2018 at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference, gum disease, periodontitis, and periodontal disease have been linked to a “higher rate of strokes caused by the hardening of large arteries in the brain and also with severe artery blockages that haven’t yet caused symptoms.”
Gum Disease Symptoms
If you’ve been showing signs and symptoms of gum disease, we can help. Here are some of the most common signs of gum disease in various stages:
- Swollen or “gummy” gums that protrude more than they should
- Red, purple, or dark gums
- Bloody gums or gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- Receding gums, possibly so much that the roots of your teeth are exposed
- Loose teeth
- Tooth loss
- Painful gums or teeth
- Bad breath that persists regardless of how good your at-home oral hygiene is
- Painful chewing
- Noticeable differences in your bite (spaces between teeth or an uneven bite)
- Swollen or “gummy” gums that protrude more than they should
- Red, purple, or dark gums
- Bloody gums or gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- Receding gums, possibly so much that the roots of your teeth are exposed
- Noticeable differences in your bite (spaces between teeth or an uneven bite)
- Loose teeth
- Bad breath that persists regardless of how good your at-home oral hygiene is
- Painful gums or teeth
- Painful chewing
- Tooth loss
If you have any of the signs and symptoms of gum disease, we encourage you to contact Miyasaki Dental immediately. We will thoroughly evaluate your mouth, teeth, and gums and take X-rays to detect any issues we cannot see with the naked eye.
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS
Thorough Care & Education: A Dental Experience Like No Other
I’ve never had such thorough care as a new patient! They took such great interest in my history and gave me a comprehensive exam. The whole time they were educating me on what they were looking for and what they found. I even learned something new about the way my jaw works, which no dentist has ever shared with me before. They were warm, caring and very thorough. I have a history of dental issues and I feel confident that they can work with my existing treatments and keep me in tip top shape. Thank you!
For those of you who do not like going to the dentist for any reason, may I suggest going to the office of Dr.miyasaki DDS. They are the kindest most gentle and professional dentistry available! Hands-down!! Big smiles!
The office is beautiful and comforting. Easy locatin and lots of free and metered parking. The staff is very welcoming and offered refreshments while I waited. Dr. Miyasaki is professional, knowledgeable, kind and personable. I felt comfortable with him immediately.
For your cleaning and special care, Miyasaki is the best. Dr. Mike and his associates are gentle and take the time to explain the process. Good care and excellent veneers, dental implants, fillings. I bought whitening strips that are professional grade. Really nice and thorough staff.
Bruxism and Gum Disease
The National Library of Medicine surveyed bruxism-related signs and their connection to periodontal disease. The survey results indicate that patients with periodontal disease suffered from higher levels of bruxism (grinding/clenching of teeth) than patients without periodontal disease.
When you grind and clench your teeth (either during the day or while you sleep), your gums are more vulnerable, and the supporting teeth sustain more damage. Together, these factors can cause periodontal disease to progress faster than otherwise.
Oral appliances are very effective in treating and preventing bruxism. Oral appliances are hugely successful treatment options for TMJ and obstructive sleep apnea. Still, they also effectively treat periodontal disease in people who clench or grind their teeth.
Gum Disease Treatment Options
There are many ways that Dr. Miyasaki treats gum disease in his dentistry practice. Here are the gum disease treatments we have found to be hugely successful:
The Perio® Tray by Perio Protect
This treatment for gum disease gently involves placing medication deep under the gums to fight infection. You use it at home for just minutes daily; the Perio® Tray is comfortable, flexible, and custom-fitted to your mouth.
With Perio® Tray therapy, you will have healthier gums, and patients often report whiter teeth and fresher breath. Dr. Miyasaki will discuss whether this would be an effective treatment option for your gum disease.
Pinhole Surgical Technique PST™
This is a procedure in which our preventative dentist uses specialized instruments to make a small hole in your gum and add collagen material to stabilize the area of gum recession. This amazing technique is simple, suture-free, and minimally invasive.
Unlike gum grafting, The Pinhole Surgery Technique™ is minimally invasive, making it a more comfortable way to treat gum disease.
There are numerous benefits of PST™, including:
- Immediate cosmetic improvement
- Incision and suture-free
- Fast recovery time
- One visit can treat multiple areas of recession
- Immediate cosmetic improvement
- One visit can treat multiple areas of recession
- Fast recovery time
- Incision and suture-free
GumChucks®
This excellent gum disease treatment resembles tiny nunchucks with disposable tips connected by a piece of dental floss. The unique two-handle system increases control, allowing you to easily make the C shape our dentist recommends when flossing your teeth.
There are many benefits to this easy method of fighting gum disease:
- Handles let you easily reach back teeth
- No more cut-off circulation from floss-wrapped fingers
- Hygienic because your fingers don’t go in your mouth as with regular floss
- It is easy to wrap the floss around the tooth, removing more plaque and bacteria
- Handles let you easily reach back teeth
- No more cut-off circulation from floss-wrapped fingers
- Hygienic because your fingers don’t go in your mouth as with regular floss
- It is easy to wrap the floss around the tooth, removing more plaque and bacteria
Pocket Irrigation
Periodontal pockets are spaces where bacteria grow in your mouth, between teeth and gums. If these pockets grow past a certain depth (usually 3 millimeters or more), treatment with pocket irrigation at Miyasaki Dental will help clean below the surface of the teeth. Pocket irrigation is generally performed alongside a dental cleaning, scaling, root planing, or pocket reduction surgery.
Whatever additional procedures are performed along with pocket irrigation, the plaque and tartar will first be removed from the periodontal pockets. Once clean and bacteria-free, irrigating the pocket fully cleanses the area to prevent infection from returning.
Dr. Miyasaki and the dental team will explain what measures you can take at home to keep your gums free of infection.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing are often performed using local anesthesia, which numbs the treatment area to ensure you do not feel discomfort while your gums are cleaned. Numbing may not be necessary for patients with mild gingivitis or those undergoing preventative care.
The scaling part of the treatment involves removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth, around the gums, and on the surface of the teeth’s roots. Then, using a special instrument, your hygienist will smooth out the root’s surface, removing all infected tissue and evening out its irregular surface to reduce inflammation and prevent a recurrence of bacteria buildup.
Gum disease is a chronic infection, so scaling and root planing may need to be completed throughout several appointments and is often combined with antibiotic therapy to promote complete healing.
Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment at Miyasaki Dental
Please call Miyasaki Dental in Sacramento, CA, at (916) 442-8911 to schedule an appointment, or you may fill out our online contact form. One of our team members will reach out to answer questions or help you with planning your initial evaluation.