Healthy gums play an important role in your overall oral health and your physical well-being. Stable, healthy gum tissue supports the teeth. It serves as a barrier against harmful bacteria, protecting the body from internal inflammation and other effects of poor oral health and gum disease. Periodontal disease is progressive, and as it spreads, it can create complex complications whose effects reach beyond the oral cavity. Early diagnosis is key in providing conservative treatment.
A Santa Monica dentist and periodontist, Dr. Fabrizio Dall’Olmo has over 20 years of experience treating and caring for gums affected by periodontal disease. Dr. Dall’Olmo approaches dentistry from a conservation standpoint, founded on the principles of Bio-Emulation. His aim is to maintain and restore the teeth and gums to their natural state for optimal long-term oral health and function. Dr. Dall’Olmo provides a range of periodontal treatment options to address all stages of gum disease.
The Stages of Gum Disease
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, and it’s the only stage that we can reverse. Because the early signs and symptoms of it are mild and don’t cause pain, many adults have the condition and don’t realize it. Typically, the main sign you’ll notice is your gums bleeding regularly. If you notice that your gums seem to be bleeding when you’re brushing your teeth multiple days a week, you need to get a checkup at our office.
We want to ensure we catch the condition early so that it can be reversed. Diligent oral healthcare is the solution at this stage. We may have you come in more frequently for thorough dental cleanings until we get the condition under control. We’ll also advise you of oral cleaning tips and techniques to ensure that you’re doing everything you can at home. An antibiotic mouth rinse may be provided as well.
Mild Periodontal Disease
At this stage, the condition can’t be reversed, it can only be managed. The bacteria become more aggressive. The infection spreads to the jawbone and starts to destroy bone structure. We’ll manage it at this stage with treatment called scaling and root planing. We clean out the gum pockets that have formed, removing debris and bacteria. Then, we smooth down the tooth roots so that the gum tissue can reattach to the bone.
Moderate Periodontal Disease
Not only is the bone affected in this stage, but the infection spreads to the bloodstream as well. Once it’s in the bloodstream, the infection and inflammation can spread to other parts of the body, causing more issues. Like mild periodontal disease, we’ll manage this with scaling and root planing.
Severe Periodontal Disease
At this stage, the infection has completely evolved into disease-causing bacteria. Your gums ooze pus and blood, you have severe bad breath, it hurts to bite down on or chew food, and your teeth start to become loose. If left untreated, you’ll begin to lose teeth. At this stage, only laser gum treatment or periodontal surgery can take care of the condition.
Comprehensive Periodontal Therapy
Dr. Dall’Olmo provides comprehensive periodontal evaluations for determining the best course of dental treatment. We strive to provide conservative treatment plans that are minimally invasive but produce optimal results for healthy and stable gums.
Dr. Dall’Olmo will assess the following:
- Condition of your teeth
- The extent of plaque build-up
- Health and condition of the gums
- The alignment of your bite
- Integrity and health of the bone structure
- Any previous health or oral health risk factors
Together, you and Dr. Dall’Olmo will build a treatment plan that will clear your gums of disease-causing bacteria and allow them to begin healing. Gum disease can lead to bone loss and tooth loss and ultimately jeopardizes the function of the bite. Effective periodontal therapy can help prevent further deterioration of the gums and teeth, preserving the natural function of the smile.
Dr. Dall’Olmo offers comprehensive dental services to patients that have additional dental problems.