The main cause of gum disease is plaque, a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms and attacks the gums surrounding the teeth and the bone supporting your teeth.

Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. There is usually little or no discomfort, the gums are red, swollen and bleed easily. This is usually caused by poor oral hygiene and can be easily reversed with good home care and professional treatment.

Untreated gingivitis can lead to a more advanced stage of the disease called periodontitis. The film of bacteria and plaque eventually spreads below the gum line and attacks the tissue and bone supporting the teeth. The gums begin to separate from the teeth, forming pockets where even more bacteria and plaque can accumulate. If left untreated, the pockets deepen as more and more tissue and bone is destroyed until the tooth becomes loose and may need to be extracted. Only your dentist can tell if you definitely have periodontitis with a periodontal exam, but some warning signs you should look for include:

	Bleeding gums
	Red, swollen or tender gums
	Chronic bad breath
	Any changes in your bite or the way your dentures fit
	Loose teeth or teeth feeling loose

Fighting and treating gum disease requires short term and long term strategies. Dr. Sun will analyze your specific situation, what were contributing factors of your dental problems and address the treatment options. We will work with you to design a home care program to maintain your ultimate dental health. For the professional treatments, Dr. Sun utilizes dental lasers, the most advanced technology, to treat the different levels of gum disease. The traditional ultrasonic tools, hand instruments and/or pharmaceuticals will also be properly incorporated in your treatment protocol. We want to provide the best treatment, which means high efficiency and if possible, zero discomfort to our patients. We also want to equip our patients with the knowledge and methods to maintain the best dental health.

Estimated treatment time: One office visit for periodontal surgery and one post-op appointment

Call us today for a free periodontal/gun disease consultation - 310.274.4200