Gum Disease Treatment – Hayward, CA
Saving Your Gums By Removing the Infection
Gum disease treatment in Hayward allows our SoHay Dental professionals to eliminate harmful bacteria and restore the soft oral tissues that exist to help hold your teeth in place. If you notice bleeding, swelling, or redness along your gumline, call our office right away to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose SoHay Dental for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Saturday Dental Appointments Available
- Multilingual Staff – We Speak Chinese & English
- Dental Team Will Maximize Your Available Benefits
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is the development of a bacterial infection that forms within the soft oral tissues that help hold your teeth in place. It forms in stages, beginning with gingivitis. This causes bleeding, inflammation, and redness, but symptoms can be reversed with regular cleanings and good at-home oral hygiene. If it worsens, it can become periodontitis. This is when gum pockets form and the infection begins to attack the bone. Eventually, if gum disease is left untreated, you can suffer from bone and tooth loss, as well as an increased risk of bodily issues.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Recognizing the symptoms of gum disease gives you a better chance of getting ahead of the problem before it worsens. If you notice any of the following issues forming, do not wait to call and schedule an appointment with our SoHay Dental team:
- Bleeding or swollen gums
- Gums that appear red or tender
- Gum recession (teeth appear longer than before)
- Bad breath or halitosis
- Loose permanent teeth
- A change in your bite (how your teeth come together)
How Do We Treat Gum Disease
Treating gum disease in Hayward requires scaling and root planing. Dr. Diep and our team are skilled in providing this service, ensuring your teeth and gums are healthier and free of harmful bacteria once the process is complete.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing remains one of the most pivotal and reliable forms of treatment for gum disease. As a two-part process, our team will begin by removing harmful plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums, even extending into the gum pocket. We’ll then move on to root planing, which requires smoothing and reshaping your tooth roots to prevent bacterial adherence in the future. Once the whole process is complete, your gums will begin to heal and reattach to your teeth.
Gum Disease Treatment FAQs
Is gum disease a common concern?
Some patients feel embarrassed when they learn they’ve developed gum disease, especially if they’re committed to keeping their mouths clean. But this condition is incredibly common, so you’re not alone if you’re worried that you might have a problem.
For instance, sources estimate that approximately 42% to 47% of U.S. American adults who are 30 years or older have some form of periodontal disease. Unfortunately, the prevalence of this infection only increases with age, affecting an estimated 60% to 70% of adults who are 65 years or older.
Can gum disease be cured?
Most oral issues don’t resolve on their own; they often worsen the longer they go untreated, and gum disease is no exception. The earliest stage, gingivitis, can often be halted and sometimes reversed by improving your at-home dental hygiene routine to include more consistent flossing.
But once your condition progresses into more advanced stages, like periodontitis, it can typically be managed but not completely cured. Our team can deep-clean your tissues, but additional surgical procedures, such as gum grafts provided by a specialist, may be required to restore receding gumlines. That means preventive care is essential to preserving the health of your connective tissues because it can help you avoid developing a problem in the first place.
How long does gum disease treatment take?
Gingivitis can sometimes be cleared up in a couple of weeks by flossing more frequently at home. More advanced stages can be addressed with scaling and root planning, which is a two-part process that usually requires two separate appointments to complete. During your first visit, our team will carefully remove even the most stubborn plaque and tartar buildup using specialized dental instruments intended for this purpose. We’ll even reach deep into the pocket of your gums to eradicate hidden bacteria.
Then, we’ll schedule a second appointment once your tissues have recovered to smooth the surface of the roots of your teeth to prevent germs from gathering and encourage your them to reconnect to your enamel, which can potentially take a few months.
How can I help prevent gum disease from developing?
Periodontitis can’t usually be reversed, but it can thankfully be prevented if you take a few simple precautions. Most patients can help safeguard their smile by:
- Implementing a routine. Brushing and flossing twice daily at home regularly removes harmful plaque and bacteria buildup that contribute to gum disease.
- Choosing foods carefully. Minimizing your consumption of overly sugary foods prevents unhealthy bacteria from thriving, and eating more citrus fruits and leafy greens with vitamin C can support your connective tissues.
- Scheduling routine checkups and cleanings. Seeing Dr. Diep every 6 months for a standard visit allows him to monitor your dental condition so that he can catch and treat any areas of concern, like swollen or sensitive gums, before they become more problematic.