Gum Care
How we help you stop Gum Disease
Dr Jivraj and our excellent and thorough hygienist, Heather, will help you keep your gums healthy.
The cause of gum disease is primarily the presence of bacteria. Therefore, we offer non-surgical treatment to remove the bacteria in cases of mild to intermediate gum disease. This is done by means of Scaling and Root Planing (or "Deep Cleaning"). We take care to keep this procedure painless, while still remaining thorough.
Patients love Heather, our hygienist. She has been in dentistry for six years. She was part of a spectacular hygiene class which ranked second in the nation with regards to national board scores. Heather has also been recognized by the California Dental Hygienists Association for excellent Clinical skills.
Once your gums are healthy again, Heather will take the necessary steps to ensure they stay that way by educating you on what you can do at home and scheduling cleanings at an appropriate frequency for your situation.
To learn more about gum disease, click here.
Call 805-351-4529 to request a $59 New Patient exam with x-rays and a consultation concerning your gum treatment or click here to request an appointment online.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Factors that contribute to gum disease include poor oral hygiene, irregular professional dental cleanings, smoking or chewing tobacco, certain medications, defective fillings, crooked teeth and systemic diseases.
Warning signs of gum disease are:
- Gums that bleed during tooth brushing
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste
- Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
A healthy lifestyle, regular brushing and flossing, and regular visits to the dentist for cleanings are the best way to keep your gums healthy and to avoid gum disease.
What is gum disease and what causes it?
Gum disease is the #1 cause of adult tooth loss in the US!
Gum disease is caused by bacteria in your mouth. In a healthy state, the gums around your teeth are tight, pink, do not bleed when they are gently probed, and there is little space between the gums and the teeth for bacteria to build up.
If the bacteria are not removed effectively, the first stage of gum disease is that your gums can start to bleed and may become red and swollen (gingivitis). This may not be readily visible, especially in between and around the back teeth, but the space between the gums and teeth becomes bigger. The bacteria now have somewhere to hide.
As the space (pocket) deepens, the bacteria change in nature and become more aggressive. Your body starts to fight this infection. The combination of the bacteria and your body's response to them, leads to a loss of the bone that supports the 
teeth. This is periodontal disease or periodontitis (periodontitis — a word that comes from the combination of the smaller words: "per" meaning around, "dont" meaning tooth and "itis" meaning inflammation or infection).
Therefore, the most important thing to do is correctly diagnose the presence and severity of gum disease. We test your gums for signs of gum disease and severity and then an appropriate plan can be made to prevent the spread and progression of the disease.
Call 805-351-4529 to request a $59 New Patient exam with x-rays and a consultation to discuss your treatment options.
