Periodontal Care in Turlock, CA

Periodontal (gum) disease affects the vast majority of people in the U.S. Gum disease is the infection of the gum tissue surrounding your teeth. In its advanced stages, it can cause bone, tissue, and tooth loss.

The problem is that many people don’t even realize that they have this condition because there’s typically no pain associated with gum disease at first, and it tends to progress gradually.

Periodontal disease is also linked to many other health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and dementia. The bacteria, fungi, and viruses that build up due to gum disease can enter the bloodstream, lungs, and digestive system, then migrate to other areas of the body and contribute to many of these other health conditions. This is known as the oral-systemic connection.

What Causes Gum Disease?

When the acid levels in your mouth increase, so do the plaque-causing bacteria. As this gooey, sticky bacteria and plaque builds up, your gum tissue becomes inflamed and irritated causing bleeding, sensitivity when you brush, and persistent bad breath. This is the early stage of gum disease known as gingivitis. At this stage, further gum disease can be prevented and reversed with a thorough professional cleaning, proper use of recommended aids, techniques and improved nutrition.

If plaque buildup is not removed, over time it hardens into tartar and calculus and can descend below your gum line, causing your tissue to separate from your teeth. This is the advanced stage of gum disease known as periodontitis. Tartar buildup will need to be removed through a procedure called scaling and root planning. This procedure removes the calculus and diseased soft tissue from under the gum line. If periodontitis progresses, you will eventually begin to experience bone loss, tooth loss, and related health problems.

Can Gum Disease Be Prevented?

Dr. Ratto and his team believe that prevention is the best medicine when it comes to periodontal disease and oral health. Knowledge is our biggest and best weapon in combating this disease and gives you the power of control.

Your hygienist will screen you for gum disease every time you come in for a recare appointment. We also test the pH levels in your mouth to help determine if acid levels are too high. If your pH levels are too low, which means that your mouth has a high level of acid, we can recommend products to help reduce the acid levels in your mouth so you can ward off gum disease before it even starts. Eating a balanced diet can also help to maintain healthy pH levels and prevent gum disease.

At Progressive Health Dental, we’ve been educating patients about the oral-systemic connection for many years. Dr. Ratto understands that our entire well being is affected by our oral health, and this is why he spends a great deal of time talking with patients about their nutrition, sleep habits, activities and how pH balance and stress affect our bodies and oral health. He invests in laser technology, which along with periodontal therapy, can help to reduce the bacteria in the mouth.

By taking a whole body approach to care and a conservative approach to treatment, Dr. Ratto offers dental care focused on improving your overall health and well-being in natural ways. If you suspect that you may have gum disease, contact our office right away. Your health is too important to wait.