MD Periodontics

MD Periodontics

menuicon-mobile
tel-icon (855) 245-1100 contact
Schedule a consultation
  • Schedule your consultation now
    mobile
    Tap to call us (855) 245-1100
    • Periodontics
      • Bacterial DNA Testing
      • Bone Grafting
      • Crown Lengthening
      • Frenectomy
      • Gum Lightening (for Dark Gums)
      • Gum Disease
      • Gum Grafting
      • Holistic Dentistry
      • Local Delivery Antibiotics
      • Periodontal Maintenance
      • Platelet-Rich Fibrin
      • Pocket Reduction Surgery
      • Scaling and Root Planing
      • Sinus Lift
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Tooth Fractures
    • Implants
      • All About Dental Implants
      • About Ceramic Implants
      • About Titanium Implants
      • Implant Rehabilitation
      • All-on-4 Restoration
    • Cosmetics
      • Dental Bonding
      • Dental Veneers
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Custom Grillz
    • Technologies
      • Biolase Laser
      • CBCT (Cone Beam Dental CT Scan)
      • Digital Smile Design
      • Holistic Dentistry
      • Low Exposure Digital X-ray
      • TRIOS Digital Scanner
    • Before & After
      • Dental Implants
        Before & Afters
      • Crown Lengthening for Gummy Smiles
        Before & Afters
      • Full Mouth Rehabilitation
        Before & Afters
      • Gum Grafting for Recession
        Before & Afters
      • Gum Lightening (Gum Bleaching)
        Before & Afters
      • Invisalign®
        Before & Afters
      • Teeth Whitening
        Before & Afters
    • About
      • About MD Perio
      • Dr. Abdy Moshrefi
      • Dr. Nazanin Daneshmand
      • Meet Our Staff
      • New Patient Forms
      • Dental Insurance and Financing
      • Referring Doctor Form
    • Blog
    • Schedule consult
    • Periodontics
      • Bacterial DNA Testing
      • Bone Grafting
      • Crown Lengthening
      • Frenectomy
      • Gum Lightening (for Dark Gums)
      • Gum Disease
      • Gum Grafting
      • Holistic Dentistry
      • Local Delivery Antibiotics
      • Periodontal Maintenance
      • Platelet-Rich Fibrin
      • Pocket Reduction Surgery
      • Scaling and Root Planing
      • Sinus Lift
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Tooth Fractures
    • Implants
      • All About Dental Implants
      • About Ceramic Implants
      • About Titanium Implants
      • Implant Rehabilitation
      • All-on-4 Restoration
    • Cosmetics
      • Dental Bonding
      • Dental Veneers
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Custom Grillz
    • Technologies
      • Biolase Laser
      • CBCT (Cone Beam Dental CT Scan)
      • Digital Smile Design
      • Holistic Dentistry
      • Low Exposure Digital X-ray
      • TRIOS Digital Scanner
    • Before & After
      • Dental Implants
        Before & Afters
      • Crown Lengthening for Gummy Smiles
        Before & Afters
      • Full Mouth Rehabilitation
        Before & Afters
      • Gum Grafting for Recession
        Before & Afters
      • Gum Lightening (Gum Bleaching)
        Before & Afters
      • Invisalign®
        Before & Afters
      • Teeth Whitening
        Before & Afters
    • About
      • About MD Perio
      • Dr. Abdy Moshrefi
      • Dr. Nazanin Daneshmand
      • Meet Our Staff
      • New Patient Forms
      • Dental Insurance and Financing
      • Referring Doctor Form
    • Blog
    • Schedule consult
    • Home
    • >
    • Gum Disease

    MD Perio Gum Disease

    < prev: Frenectomy
    See all periodontics topics...
    • Sedation Dentistry
    • Bacterial DNA Testing
    • Bone Grafting
    • Crown Lengthening (for Gummy Smiles)
    • Frenectomy
    • Gum Disease
    • Gum Grafting
    • Gum Lightening (for Dark Gums)
    • Holistic Dentistry
    • Local Delivery Antibiotics (Arestin treatment)
    • Periodontal Maintenance
    • Pocket Reduction Surgery
    • PRF – Platelet-Rich Fibrin
    • Scaling and Root Planing
    • Sinus Lift
    • Tooth Extractions
    • Tooth Fractures
    next: Gum Grafting>
    You are here: Home / Periodontics / Gum Disease

    What is Periodontal Disease?

    Commonly known as gum disease, periodontal disease is a progressive infection involving the gums, ligaments, and bones surrounding teeth. Periodontal disease, even in its mildest stages, shouldn’t be ignored.

    Man smiling next to text.
Text reads: Gum Disease Treatment: Critically important to your overall health. Periodontal disease is leading cause of tooth loss. Learn how to prevent gum disease. Minimally invasive treatments. Virtually painless.

    Untreated periodontal disease is the main cause of tooth loss among adults in the United States because it can lead to bone destruction in the jaw ridge where the teeth attach. Your gums (known as gingiva) are an integral part of your oral health. Keeping them healthy will help keep tooth decay at bay and increase the likelihood of saving your teeth. 

    What’s more, if left untreated, chronic inflammation of the gums and their supporting tissue can increase your risk of heart disease! According to the American Academy of Periodontology, severe gum disease has also been associated with serious medical conditions such as strokes, diabetes, hardening of the arteries, osteoporosis, and even cancer. 

    What causes periodontal disease?

    In a word: plaque – a sticky film that continuously forms on your teeth. Plaque contains bacteria that can irritate and inflame your gums, setting off a chain of events that can very well cost you your tooth if not managed in a timely fashion by an experienced periodontist. 

    Periodontal Disease has two stages

    Periodontists grade the level of disease two ways. They are:

    Gingivitis: the early stage of periodontal disease

    Gingivitis literally means inflammation of the gingiva (the gums). The early stages of gingivitis may go unnoticed at first. This is because people in this stage often do not experience pain or tooth discomfort, however, they may notice that their gums are red, swollen, or bleed easily with brushing or flossing. 

    Signs of gingivitis include:

    Receding gums from periodontal disease
    • Red or purple gums
    • Swollen gums
    • Sensitive or painful gums
    • Bleeding gums
    • Bad breath (halitosis)
    • Gums that are soft
    • Gum recession that begins to expose the base of the tooth

    Periodontitis: advanced gum disease

    As gingivitis becomes more severe, the infection begins to involve the ligaments and bone supporting the teeth, threatening the very viability of the teeth. Aggressive bacteria begin to destroy not just the soft tissue of your gums, but also the jawbone supporting the tooth. Periodontitis is diagnosed when bone loss becomes apparent. 

    Signs of Periodontitis include

    • Gums pulling away from the teeth, creating a pocket between the gum and the base of the tooth where dangerous bacteria can breed
    • Red, swollen and tender gums
    • Pus visible along the gum line
    • Loose teeth
    • A change in your bite pattern

    What are the risk factors for periodontal disease?

    There are a number of variables that increase your odds of developing gum disease, such as:

    Poor oral hygiene

    Poor oral hygiene

    Dentists and periodontists recommend brushing your teeth for two to three minutes twice a day. In addition, floss twice daily and rinse with antibacterial mouthwash to prevent tooth decay and maintain healthy gums.

    Tobacco use

    It makes little difference if you use chewing tobacco or you smoke it, they both make it harder for your body to fight off a gum infection. In fact, smokers are twice as likely as non-smokers to have gum disease.

    Illness

    Systemic illnesses such as autoimmune disease or uncontrolled diabetes increase your odds of having periodontal disease.

    Hormonal changes

    Hormonal changes in women – such as those that occur during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause – can increase your risk for periodontal disease.

    Direct Transmission between people

    Yes, you can get gum-destroying bacteria by sharing cutlery, storing toothbrushes together, or kissing on the lips.

    Can gum disease be prevented?

    The good news is that gum disease is easily preventable. For most people, practicing good oral hygiene habits will keep them out of trouble.

    Steps for preventing gum disease include:

    • Brushing your teeth twice daily for two to three minutes each time.
    • Flossing carefully and thoroughly two times a day to remove plaque buildup.
    • Using an anti-plaque mouthwash every time you brush and floss your teeth.
    • Regular checkups at your dental office to eliminate plaque and tartar buildup. See your dentist at least twice a year to have your teeth professionally cleaned by a dental hygienist.
    • Brushing and flossing after eating high carbohydrate foods like sweets. Your body converts carbohydrates into sugar that stimulates bacterial growth that can break down your tooth enamel, gum tissue, and bone.
    Schedule your consultation today!

    Schedule your consultation today!

    Schedule a consultationtel-icon or call us at (310) 859-9449

    How is early gum disease (Gingivitis) treated?

    The good news is that it’s very easy to treat gum disease if caught early. During the early stage of gum disease (known as gingivitis), you can be treated with relatively simple in-office non-surgical procedures performed by an experienced periodontist.

    Untreated periodontal disease is the main cause of tooth loss among adults in the United States…

    In-office deep cleaning treatments are the first step in treating early gum disease.

    This procedure is known as periodontal scaling and root planing (aka a “deep cleaning”). This dentistry treatment removes the dental plaque and tartar build-up on and around your teeth.

    After applying local anesthesia to one-quarter of your mouth (either one-half of your upper teeth or one-half of your lower teeth), your periodontist uses special tools to scrape dental plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth (scaling) and to work below the gum line to polish away tartar, toxins, and micro-organisms from any exposed roots (root planing).

    Because this is slow and meticulous work, many periodontists prefer to treat one-quarter of your mouth at each visit and space the visits out over several weeks.

    As you can imagine, a number of specialized tools are used for these dental care procedures, ranging from hand tools to ultrasonic and laser instruments that help blast away tartar.

    How is advanced gum disease (Periodontitis) treated?

    Once gum disease has continued to progress, resulting in bone loss, this is known as periodontitis and requires more drastic treatments. For instance, it may be necessary to perform surgery to open the infected gums to expose the tooth root for more thorough scaling and planing.

    If the infection is particularly serious, your dental professional might take a saliva sample to identify the offending bacteria. Then they can prescribe oral antibiotics or insert time-released antibiotic granules directly into your gum pockets. If significant bone and gum tissue has been lost due to untreated periodontitis, grafting procedures might be able to fill in bone and gum tissue defects.

    How is severe Periodontitis treated?

    Severe periodontitis is treated with osseous surgery. This procedure requires anesthesia. It involves cutting a flap in the gum and folding it back to expose any diseased tissue in the gum and tooth-root surfaces that need removing with scaling and planning. Flap surgery is a fairly common procedure being widely performed nowadays.

    Once the dead tissue is gone and the surrounding bone and gums are clean, your periodontist might attempt to re-contour one or more teeth to eliminate pockets where bacteria can breed before sewing the gums back in place. 

    If your gums have receded significantly and have pulled away from your teeth enough to expose your tooth root, your periodontist might recommend grafting gum tissue. Donor tissue is harvested from the roof of your mouth (or another source) to fill in the area with inadequate gum coverage. The tissue grafts are sutured into place to fill defects and, over time, heal with a natural appearance.

    Similarly, if the bone foundation underlying a tooth is eroded to the point that it can’t support the tooth, bone graft material can be inserted where it’s needed before the gums are sutured closed.

    Once you have undergone treatment for gum disease, whether, in its early stage or advanced stage, it’s vital that you adopt the oral care regimen recommended by your periodontist in order to avoid the loss of more gingival tissue and bone.

    Why trust your periodontal care to MD Periodontics?

    Welcome-to-MD-Periodontics

    Dr. Abdy Moshrefi and Dr. Nazanin Daneshmand are board-certified periodontal specialists who have been delivering outstanding results in treating gum disease for two decades. What’s more, they have been acknowledged by their peers for contributions to the field and are among the very best gum specialist Los Angeles.

    It is our patient-centric philosophy that has made us one of the top specialty practices that Los Angeles dentists refer their patients to for years. We work closely with our referring doctors to coordinate all dental work, keeping your comfort and well-being as our top priority.

    We take pride in making sure that our patients have all available treatment options presented to them in terms that they can understand. This way, they are well-informed before they make an important decision about their oral health care. We always make sure that you understand every step of the treatment plan before we proceed because we want you to be comfortable and relaxed, knowing that you are in professional hands.

    When it comes to your oral health, do your research and look for the best. You deserve it.

    To schedule an appointment, click here or call (855) 245-1100.

    At MD Periodontics, we take our patients’ safety seriously. Our facility follows Covid-19 patient safety procedures that exceed all CDC recommendations. Masks are required in our institutes at all times.

    We are conveniently located to patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area. Our Beverly Hills office is conveniently located near West Los Angeles, Culver City, West Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Sherman Oaks, and Encino. 

    Schedule your consultation today!

    Schedule your consultation today!

    Schedule a consultationtel-icon or call us at (310) 859-9449

    Table of Contents

    • What is Periodontal Disease?
    • What causes periodontal disease?
    • Periodontal Disease has two stages
    • What are the risk factors for periodontal disease?
    • Can gum disease be prevented?
    • How is early gum disease (Gingivitis) treated?
    • How is advanced gum disease (Periodontitis) treated?
    • How is severe Periodontitis treated?
    • Why trust your periodontal care to MD Periodontics?

    schedule your consultation now!

    Request an Appointment OR CALL tel-icon (855) 245-1100

    EXPLORE our Instagram feed

    mdperiodontics

    116

    mdperiodontics

    View

    May 23

    Open
    I remember when @pejvahdat moved to LA with $200 in his pocket and a dream. 19 years later he’s killing it across stage and film. Proud of you cuz and excited for all the  future has in store for you. #dreambig #dynasty #cityonahill #theoldman @shocityonahill @cw_dynasty

    I remember when @pejvahdat moved to LA with $200 in his pocket and a dream. 19 years later he’s killing it across stage and film. Proud of you cuz and excited for all the future has in store for you. #dreambig #dynasty #cityonahill #theoldman @shocityonahill @cw_dynasty ...

    mdperiodontics

    View

    Apr 29

    Open
    One of the most important long term indicators of implant health and success is bone stability around the implant. 12 years after being placed, this patient’s implants are doing just as well as his newest implant.  Factors that can lead to bone loss include a heavy bite, infection, implant design, tissue bio type, smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and other medical conditions. #success #dentalimplants #beverlyhills #cosmeticdentistry #oralsurgery

    One of the most important long term indicators of implant health and success is bone stability around the implant. 12 years after being placed, this patient’s implants are doing just as well as his newest implant. Factors that can lead to bone loss include a heavy bite, infection, implant design, tissue bio type, smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and other medical conditions. #success #dentalimplants #beverlyhills #cosmeticdentistry #oralsurgery ...

    mdperiodontics

    View

    Apr 1

    Open
    Always know where to find him.  #eamesloungechair #coffeelover #machiatto #beverlyhills #90210 #tgif

    Always know where to find him. #eamesloungechair #coffeelover #machiatto #beverlyhills #90210 #tgif ...

    mdperiodontics

    View

    Mar 28

    Open
    Treatment of gum recession can be performed without harvesting tissue from the hard palate. This makes the procedure significantly more comfortable. aPRF is similar to PRP but even better because it contains more growth factors and can be prepped in the form of “Fibrin BandAids” that are used to increase the amount of tissue and cover roots. #gumrecession #periosurgery #beverlyhills #aprf #pinholesurgicaltechnique #dentalimplants #holistichealth #holisticdentistry

    Treatment of gum recession can be performed without harvesting tissue from the hard palate. This makes the procedure significantly more comfortable. aPRF is similar to PRP but even better because it contains more growth factors and can be prepped in the form of “Fibrin BandAids” that are used to increase the amount of tissue and cover roots. #gumrecession #periosurgery #beverlyhills #aprf #pinholesurgicaltechnique #dentalimplants #holistichealth #holisticdentistry ...

    mdperiodontics

    View

    Mar 25

    Open
    Full Arch upper rehabilitation using 6 implants. Extractions and implant placement are done on the same day using a fully guided surgical protocol. This is a life changing procedure for many patients who suffer from a compromised dentition. #allonfour #teethexpress #samedaysmile #estheticdentistry #plasticsurgery #beverlyhills

    Full Arch upper rehabilitation using 6 implants. Extractions and implant placement are done on the same day using a fully guided surgical protocol. This is a life changing procedure for many patients who suffer from a compromised dentition. #allonfour #teethexpress #samedaysmile #estheticdentistry #plasticsurgery #beverlyhills ...

    mdperiodontics

    View

    Mar 19

    Open
    Our annual tradition since they were old enough to walk. Wishing everyone a Spring full of flourishing endeavors.

“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better.” 

Paulo Coelho

#thealchemist #dtla #nowruz #dltaflowermart

    Our annual tradition since they were old enough to walk. Wishing everyone a Spring full of flourishing endeavors.

    “When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better.”

    Paulo Coelho

    #thealchemist #dtla #nowruz #dltaflowermart
    ...

    mdperiodontics

    View

    Feb 9

    Open
    The incredible @gabbyelanjewelry designed these one of a kind pieces for @cynthiaerivo 🦋 from dangling  gems…to butterfly grillz, MD Perio is always honored to work with this amazing team #grillz #beverlyhills #periodontics #diamonds #diamondsareagirlsbestfriend #beauty

    The incredible @gabbyelanjewelry designed these one of a kind pieces for @cynthiaerivo 🦋 from dangling gems…to butterfly grillz, MD Perio is always honored to work with this amazing team #grillz #beverlyhills #periodontics #diamonds #diamondsareagirlsbestfriend #beauty ...

    mdperiodontics

    View

    Feb 7

    Open
    You need to look for these signs of tooth enamel erosion!

Even though your tooth enamel is the toughest substance in your body, it's also at risk of decay if not properly cared for. This can result in the yellowing of teeth, cavities, severe tooth pain, and even infection. Several factors cause enamel erosion, many of which are preventable. Learn what to look out for! https://bit.ly/333ze4m

#tootheenamel #tootherosion #periodontics #mdperio #losangeles #beverlyhills #healthyteeth

    You need to look for these signs of tooth enamel erosion!

    Even though your tooth enamel is the toughest substance in your body, it's also at risk of decay if not properly cared for. This can result in the yellowing of teeth, cavities, severe tooth pain, and even infection. Several factors cause enamel erosion, many of which are preventable. Learn what to look out for! https://bit.ly/333ze4m

    #tootheenamel #tootherosion #periodontics #mdperio #losangeles #beverlyhills #healthyteeth
    ...

    Load More... Follow on Instagram

    Stories from Our Blog We Think You’ll Like

    What causes bad breath?

    Why Does My Breath Smell Bad? The Causes of Bad Breath

    Causes of oral fibroma

    Is Lip Biting Actually Bad? What Causes Oral Fibromas?

    Water flosser vs string floss

    Water Flosser vs Floss: Is it Time to Ditch the String?

    Do you need to floss?

    Our Experts’ Advice: Do You Need to Floss?

    Should you brush your tongue?

    Our Experts’ Advice: Should You Brush Your Tongue?

    Marijuana and Oral Health

    Does Using Marijuana Affect Your Oral Health?

    Close up of toothbrush, flosser, towel, and mouthwash

    How do you know if you have gingivitis? And how to prevent it!

    Tooth Enamel Erosion

    Signs of Tooth Enamel Erosion (& Why It’s Important)

    All about invisalign

    Invisalign® Clear Braces: Do They Really Work?

    Dentist injecting numbing agent into patient's gums

    Numb’s the Word, a Brief History of Dental Pain Killers

    Woman biting nails

    11 Bad Habits That Can Ruin Your Teeth

    Black man holding jaw due to tooth pain

    6 Symptoms That Tell You When To See a Periodontist

    Close up of a woman with curly hair brushing her teeth

    How does oral health affect your body?

    Dental Anxiety

    How to Get Over a Fear of Dentists and Dental Anxiety

    Pregnant woman in dentist's chair

    What is Pregnancy Gingivitis? Don’t Let It Disrupt Your Pregnancy

    Bruxism - Teeth Grinding

    What Is Bruxism and why you want to avoid it!

    Burning Mouth Syndrome

    What is Burning Mouth Syndrome?

    Dental Implants vs Dentures

    Dental Implants vs Dentures

    Periodontist working on patient's teeth

    What a Periodontist is and Why You Should Care

    Gum Disease and Heart Disease

    Can Gum Disease Lead to Heart Disease?

    Missing Teeth Dental Implants

    Dental Implants in 2022, What You Need to Know

    Drinking Water and Dental Health

    Four Reasons to Drink Water for Your Dental Health

    Vitamin C, Caffeine, and lidocaine

    Do Vitamin C and Caffeine make dental numbing meds less effective?

    Portrait of Drs. Moshrefi and Daneshmand

    Welcome to MD Periodontics’s New Website!

    Women-with-MD-Periodontics-Dental-Grillz-flare-ft

    Madonna and Kim Kardashian choose MD Periodontics for perfect-fitting Grillz

    Metal vs Ceramic Dental Implants

    Titanium vs. Ceramic Dental Implants, What You Need to Know in 2022

    Dental Implant vs Dental Partials

    Which is Better, Dentures or Dental Implants?

    Dental Implants

    All About Dental Implants

    When to see a periodontist

    5 Signs That You Need Periodontic Treatment ASAP

    read more blog articles…
    MD-Perio-trust-icons

    Contact Us

    Phone (855) 245-1100
    info@mdperio.com

    Hours

    Monday-Friday: 8AM to 6PM
    Saturday-Sunday: CLOSED

    Location

    9735 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 419
    Beverly Hills, CA. 90212

    New Patients

    Learn More About Us »
    Make An Appointment »
    • About MD Periodontics
    • Dr. Abdy Moshrefi
    • Dr. Nazanin Daneshmand
    • New Patient Forms
    • Dental Insurance & Financing
    • Referring Doctor Form
    • Periodontics
    • Dental Implants
    • Before & After Pictures
    • Cosmetics
    • Technologies
    • Blog
    Schedule a consultation
    tel-icon (855) 245-1100
    contact Us

    Phone (855) 245-1100
    Fax (310) 859-9451
    Alt Phone: (424) 277-0800

    9735 Wilshire Blvd. Suite #419
    Beverly Hills, CA. 90212

    • facebook
    • twitter
    • instagram
    • youtube
    Website by A Far Site Better
    x
    Schedule a consultation
    • * = required

    close