Healthy gums greatly reduce your overall dental expenses.

Why is gum health important?

All dentists talk about gum health being so important, but few actually explain why.

Here’s the deal, simplified:

When left untreated, mild gingivitis can become periodontal disease – infection that spreads through and destroys your teeth and bone.

When this happens you are going to need deep cleanings at best, or very intense gum surgery at worst.

The kicker is that according to the CDC, 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease.

Gum treatments helps prevent other diseases in your body.

Patient is Listing to Doctor

Healthy gums look great, but more importantly – they help prevent other diseases from spreading throughout your body.

Early detection is key.  If you experience red, swollen or bleeding gums, you should make an appointment immediately.

When you come in for your first appointment (and every cleaning appointment thereafter), we’ll check your gum health, and make sure to take care of small problems before they become bigger, costlier ones.

Gum specialist on staff!

Most dental offices do not have a periodontist (gum specialist) on staff, but we do. Dr. Sigafoos helps you with solutions for more advanced gum problems.

Gentle & thorough hygienists.

Regular cleanings with our hygiene staff will help you catch and correct these issues. 2-4 cleanings per year are a great idea.

Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Proper daily care of your teeth and gums goes a long way to reduce these problems. Drs. Dale Trudeau, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Nikko Johnson, and Erik Balinghasay of Del Mar Family Dentistry in Solana Beach, CA, educate patients on how to care for their teeth and gums between dental visits. Dental education can provide patients with the information they need to keep periodontal disease from developing.

If you want to prevent gingivitis and periodontitis, or if you notice changes in your smile, such as bleeding or swollen gums, our team can help. Call (858) 360-3102 to request an appointment at our facility, conveniently located at 625 Valley Avenue and serving patients in the communities of Fairbanks Ranch, Del Mar, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Rancho Santa Fe, Encinitas, and Carmel Valley, CA.

Dr. Dale Trudeau

Dr. Dale Trudeau

Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick

Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick

Dr. Nikko Johnson

Dr. Nikko Johnson

Dr. Erik Balinghasay

Dr. Erik Balinghasay


Del Mar Family Dentistry is served by four experienced and talented physicians: Drs. Dale Trudeau, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Nikko Johnson, and Erik Balinghasay.

Dr. Dale Trudeau has served the community of Del Mar and Solana Beach since 1984. He is a graduate and former instructor at USC School of Dentistry and has completed many hours of advanced training in restorative, cosmetic, implant dentistry, and Invisalign. He is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), California Dental Association (CDA), San Diego County Dental Society (SDCDS), and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Trudeau is active in the community and volunteers at many local charities and youth organizations.

Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick is a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) in San Diego and Loma Linda University, School of Dentistry. He is a Research Associate at PLNU, YMCA, and Foundation for Worldwide Health, along with being a member of the ADA, CDA, Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), and SDCDS. Dr. Fitzpatrick has a passion to provide sustainable dental services to underserved communities both locally and globally. In 2013 he founded Cura Coffee Company to help fund the non-profit work of Cura Smiles. This non-profit has been able to build a dental clinic in the diverse community of City Heights, San Diego to help serve the underserved in their dental needs.

Dr. Nikko Johnson is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma University College of Dentistry. After completing her dental residency, she practiced as a general dentist in Oklahoma and North Carolina before obtaining her Master of Science in Periodontology from the University Of Detroit Mercy School Of Dentistry. Among her competencies are prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases and treatment modalities with advanced oral plastic surgeries. She has had the honor of providing dental care to veterans for many years.

Dr. Erik Balinghasay is a graduate of the University of California San Diego(UCSD) and University of California Los Angeles(UCLA), School of Dentistry. Upon graduating from UCLA, he pursued advanced speciality training in Endodontics, the dental specialty related to root canals, at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is a Board-Certified Endodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics.