Prevention and Gum Disease Treatment in Lynwood, CA
Healthy gums are the foundation for a healthy smile. Along with the bone and ligaments in your jaw, your gums help hold your teeth securely in place. If something goes wrong, and your gums get infected (gum disease), the whole structure that supports your teeth is at risk.
At PhD Dental, our experienced team of periodontists at our LA, Inglewood, Lynwood, and Pico Rivera dental office has the skill and expertise needed to help keep your gums healthy and to provide expert treatment if a problem develops.
We know that sometimes your oral health can take a back seat, especially if you have a busy schedule. So if you have numerous dental problems you’re dealing with you, we will provide the supportive, non-judgmental care you need to make things right again.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum (periodontal) disease is an infection that affects the structures that support your teeth. There are many reasons why your gums might become infected, but poor oral hygiene is the most common.
Throughout the day, a sticky film called plaque forms on your teeth. Plaque is filled with bacteria, and if you don’t remove the buildup by brushing and flossing, it can cause the infection that we call gum disease or periodontal disease.
How Can I Tell If I Have Gum Disease?
There are many signs of gum disease, and we’ve listed a few below.
- Bleeding when you brush and floss
- Sore, tender, or inflamed gums
- Gums that pull away from your teeth
- Teeth that feel loose
- A change in your dental bite
- Bad breath that won’t go away
But sometimes a gum infection shows no symptoms, which makes routine preventive checkups with your dentist so critical.
How Do You Treat Gum Disease
There are two stages of gum disease, and the treatment we recommend depends on which stage you're in.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage and causes irritation and inflammation of the gums. We can usually treat gingivitis with a thorough dental cleaning by one of our hygienists to remove all the bacteria-filled plaque and tartar that builds up on your teeth.
Your hygienist will also show you how to brush and floss correctly at home, so you get the most from your oral hygiene routine.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease. At this point, the infection has started attacking the soft tissue around your teeth. As it progresses, gum disease breaks down the bone that holds your teeth in place, and, without treatment, can lead to tooth loss.
Treatment of periodontitis involves a deep cleaning treatment called scaling and root planing and follow up visits several times a year to monitor your gum health.
What Does Scaling and Root Planing Involve?
Your comfort is our priority, so we will numb the area to be treated so you won’t feel any discomfort. With scaling, our hygienist gently scrapes away all the plaque and tartar that sits on your teeth above and below the gum line. Planing smooths all the rough spots on your tooth roots where bacteria can collect and cause gum disease.
How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?
There are several steps you can take to prevent gum disease:
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss once a day to remove plaque from between teeth
- Use an antibacterial rinse or mouthwash as recommended
- Eat a healthy diet and limit snacks
- Visit your dentist twice a year for preventive exams and cleanings
Please Call Us for An Appointment
If you have any of the signs of gum disease or you are due for your next dental exam and cleaning, please call our LA, Lynwood, Inglewood, or Pico Rivera dental office to arrange a convenient appointment.
We promise not to judge or lecture you if it’s been a while since your last visit. Our only concern is helping you maintain the healthiest smile possible, and we’re just glad you’re taking a step toward better oral care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Routine dental cleanings are one of the easiest ways to keep your smile healthy and avoid costly and complicated treatment. At PhD Dental, we generally recommend that you visit us for professional cleanings every six months.
For many people, visits twice a year for dental cleanings are perfect for monitoring their oral health and preventing problems like decay and gum disease. Even if you brush and floss like a superstar, you still need to have your teeth cleaned professionally twice a year to keep your smile as healthy as possible.
Why Do I Need Dental Cleanings?
Plaque is a sticky film that coats your teeth and contains bacteria that cause decay and gum disease. No matter how well you clean your teeth at home, your toothbrush and floss can’t reach into all the tiny spaces where plaque hides. If we don’t remove this film, it turns into a hard substance called tartar, which can be removed only by a dental hygienist using specialized instruments.
During your cleaning, your hygienist may find that you have gum disease. If so, she may determine that more frequent visits are needed to eliminate and control it. Cleanings three or even four times a year, in this case, are not uncommon.
Book your Routine Cleaning
If it’s time to schedule your next dental cleaning at our LA, Inglewood, Lynwood, Pico Rivera, Compton, Westchester, or Norwalk dental office, please call the oral hygiene team at PhD Dental to arrange an appointment.
A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) is recommended when there’s evidence of gum disease — like bleeding gums, bad breath, or bone loss. During your exam, we’ll check your gums with gentle measurements and X-rays. If a deep cleaning is needed, we’ll explain why and how it helps stop gum disease from getting worse.
Yes. All offices welcome new patients, including children and families.
Yes, we accept all PPO plans and insurances.
Yes, we accept Medical (Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal)
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Ori Levy
Ori Levy, DDS, is a board-certified periodontist who is committed to helping you achieve and maintain excellent periodontal health. Dr. Levy graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a bachelors degree in Economics. Continuing his education at UCLA, Dr. Levy obtained his dental degree in 2005.
Dr. Levy received his periodontal graduate certification from the Greater Los Angeles Veteran Affairs Healthcare System in West Los Angeles. During his specialty training, he conducted advanced research on dental implants.
In 2009, Dr. Levy became a diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology. ...
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