Young woman looking at her teeth in the mirror

How Do You Know It’s Time to See a Periodontist?


Are your gums hurting? Do you often deal with bleeding, swelling, or inflammation? If your gums are starting to get sensitive, this could be a sign that it’s time to visit your periodontist. At the office of Dr. Kao, we care about the all-around health and well-being of your mouth.

There are many symptoms and causes that can lead to periodontitis. For example, lack of brushing and flossing are the main culprits. Other factors, such as genetics or physical trauma, can also play a part. To allow you to assess whether it’s time for you to see a periodontist, check out some of our quick tips below. As a result, this guide will help you understand the beginning stages of the disease. In a word, you can recognize the symptoms right away.

Are you worried about where these symptoms may lead? Of course, you are. To get more information about your dental health, please visit Dr. Kao. It is important you see a Los Angeles Periodontist right away.

What Is Periodontitis?

This disease is most often known as a gum infection. It can affect not only the health of your gums and teeth, but of your bone mass as well. An infection, which spreads to the soft tissue of the mouth is the cause of this disease. It finally makes its way into the bone. Your weakened bone structure will cause tooth loss. Also, it may cause rot and a variety of other unpleasant symptoms.

We cannot understate the seriousness of this gum disease. At the office of Dr. Kao, we take every step to ensure that our patients do not reach the bone loss stage of this disease. Instead, we offer treatment solutions and procedures to reverse the effects of periodontitis. Thus, your mouth will be back in shape ASAP!

What Are the Symptoms of Periodontitis?

Knowing if you need to see a periodontist is very important. Are you experiencing some of the symptoms we discuss below? If you answer yes to any of them, it’s time to make an appointment. Dr. Kao wants to stop gum disease in its tracks. For this reason, let us know if you have one or more of the following:

  • Pus on gums and teeth
  • Constant bad breath, even after brushing
  • Loose or dislodged teeth
  • Tooth discoloration
  • Inflammation of gums
  • Receding gumline
  • Swollen gums
  • Pain while chewing
  • Difficulty eating or breathing

These are some of the many symptoms that can present themselves as a sign of periodontitis. In fact, some patients have the disease while showing no symptoms at all. Either way, it’s important to get yourself checked. This way a viable treatment plan gets made for you.

Gum Disease Causes and Solutions

Periodontitis may be the result of a variety of things. If you’re a heavy smoker, it’s likely that the tobacco and nicotine have ruined the tissues of your gums. Other reasons for this disease might include a lack of brushing and flossing. For this reason, bacterias begin building up and that causes plaque. You could also be prone to persistent gum inflammation. As a result, this is a direct gateway to the disease itself.

Treatment solutions include medication and the development of good oral hygiene. If you can catch the disease early enough, you’ll be able to start working on prevention options. With that in mind, the goal is to get rid of the symptoms as soon as possible. Getting rid of the bacteria that is causing this rot and pain is the first step to a complete recovery. You can say goodbye to periodontitis.

Periodontist in Los Angeles

Are you having any of the symptoms we have discussed above? If so, it is very important to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kao. Regular and routine checkups are a must. For example, prevention is the key to stopping periodontitis from developing. Regular oral hygiene is the most important step you can take. For more information on this disease, please contact us online. Also, you may call our office at (213) 250-7554. One of our experienced team members is here to schedule your appointment, today! We look forward to seeing you smile again.