AHWATUKEE DENTISTRY, PLLC

CHANDLER PERIODONTICS (GUM DISEASE) DENTISTS

Gum disease is usually caused by plaque.  Plaque is a sticky, practically colorless film that builds continuously on our teeth. The main inhabitants of plaque are bacteria. Regular brushing, twice a day at the minimum, the use of mouth wash and dental floss, and regular cleaning can prevent the build-up of plaque. In some cases, surgery procedures may be recommended in severe bone loss cases.  Contact our Chandler dental hygienists and our Chandler perio dentists to schedule an appointment for your regular cleaning. Our chandler gum disease dentists and our gentle Chandler family dentists will take time and explain to you your dental health and procedures that are necessary to restore your dental health.  Please feel free to contact our Chandler family dentists to schedule an appointment for an evaluation. 

As stated, plaque is probably the biggest cause of tooth decay and eventual bone loss. Bacteria on plaque ferment sugars in the mouth, changing them to acids.  These acids eat away at tooth enamel and cause tooth decay, irritation of the gum and eventually bone loss. As plaque builds up below the gum line, it mineralizes and becomes tartar, which is the catalyst for periodontal disease (aka “gum disease”). Gum disease is the major cause of receding, bleeding gum and tooth loss in adults.  If plaque is not removed with thorough daily brushing and cleaning between teeth, gums become irritated and inflamed. The irritated gum tissue can separate from the teeth and form spaces called pockets. Bacteria move into the pockets where they continue to promote irritation. Left untreated, the process can continue until the bone and other tooth-supporting tissues are destroyed. The early stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis. It often results in gums that are red and swollen and may bleed easily.

Gingivitis is the bleeding of your gum (gingiva). Symtoms of gingivitis include bleeding gums (blood on toothbrush even with gentle brushing of the teeth), Bright red or red-purple appearance to gums, tender, swollen and sensitive gum, and mouth sores.	Periodontitis is inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth (past the gingivitis stage). Treatment of periodontics should reduce inflammation, eliminate pockets if present, and eventually restore your bone and gum over time.

Advance periodontitis may required periodontal surgery.  Surgery is required when deep pockets remain underneath the gum after extensive cleaning sessions. These pockets must be reduced through surgery, which includes shaping gum tissue, lifting, or flapping, the gums away from the tooth and surrounding bone, cleaning and removing diseased root surfaces, contouring the remaining bone and attempting to regenerate lost bone and gingival attachment through bone grafts and guided tissue regeneration.

Contact our Chandler family dentists and our Chandler tooth decay dentists at 480-961-3330 to schedule an appointment or contact us and schedule an appointment online. Our dentists also serve clients in the Sun Valley area, including Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix , and Maricopa County Arizona.