PERIODONTICS ON THE COSTA BRAVA / EMPORDÀ

INFORMATION ON PERIODONTICS AND GUM CARE

Periodontics is the dental speciality that prevents, diagnoses and treats conditions that affect the gums, cementum and alveolar bone, in one way or another.

If untreated, gum disease can cause patients great discomfort and it can go unnoticed until the advanced stages.

PERIODONTICS AND GUM DISEASE TREATMENTS

At Cambra Clinic, we are experts in periodontics treatments, including:

• Gum grafts: This procedure consists in grafting soft tissue around teeth with exposed roots due to receding gums. For this type of procedure, a small bit of tissue is taken from a different part of the mouth, generally the palate, and sutured into place over the exposed root.
• Periodontal microsurgery: This encompasses a series of procedures to correct malformations in the gums caused by infection (gingival hyperplasia, periodontitis), trauma (tearing, accidents) or removal of teeth that lead to a loss of gum volume, along with the associated alterations to tooth development and eruption.
• Bone regeneration: This technique stimulates the creation of new bone in areas where it is lacking, using bioconductive materials with growth factors. This treatment is subject to the patient’s anatomical conditions.
• Crown lengthening: This is used for patients with little teeth showing, as most is covered by the gums. This treatment gives patients back their desired tooth size.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS ABOUT PERIODONTICS

There are various factors or causes that can lead to or accelerate periodontal disease, the most common are:

• Not having regular dental check-ups.
• Poor or insufficient dental hygiene (if plaque is left to build up it turns into tartar).
• Genetic factors.
• Types of bacteria in the mouth (some people have more tartar than others).
• Smoking (leads to more tartar, which is very common among smokers).
• Some illnesses worsen the damage caused by tartar, such as diabetes, osteoporosis, etc.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PERIODONTICS AND GUM CARE

Is brushing enough to prevent gum disease?

No. As the brush can’t reach spaces between the teeth, it is important to floss or use interdental brushes to keep these spaces plaque free.

In the beginning, these tools can be cumbersome and hard work. It takes a bit of time to get used to them.

How do I know if I have gum issues?

The symptoms are: spontaneous bleeding or while brushing, pus on the gums, bad taste and bad breath, reddening of the gums, retracting gums, change in tooth position and even loose teeth.

Only a dentist can diagnose gum disease, but if you have any of these signs you should have your mouth looked at.

Is it normal for gums to bleed?

The first warning sign of gum problems is bleeding, whether spontaneous or while brushing.

Bleeding gums could mean gingivitis (less serious) or periodontitis (more serious). In some cases, certain medications and/or illnesses may cause gums to bleed.