Periodontal Disease Whittier, CA

Periodontal disease – also known as gum disease – is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. Left untreated, it can result in gum soreness, painful infections, bone loss, and loose teeth. Thankfully, if you have periodontal disease in Whittier, we have treatments that can help! With periodontal treatments in Whittier, good home care, and regular visits to your dentist, you have a good chance of saving your teeth.

What Is Gum Disease?

Periodontal disease arises from infections and inflammation of the gum tissue and the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth.

The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. At this stage, the disease is actually reversible. Once it goes beyond gingivitis, we can no longer reverse the disease. However, we can arrest it and prevent it from progressing and resulting in tooth loss.

What Are the Signs of Periodontal Disease?

The signs of periodontal disease include:

Red or purple gums
Puffy gum tissue
Gum soreness/tenderness
Bleeding when you brush or floss
Gums that easily bleed just from touching them
Bad breath
Pain with chewing
Pus between or around the teeth
A red or white bump on the gums (abscess)
Receding gums (getting long in the tooth)
A change in your bite
New spaces in between your teeth
Loose teeth

What Causes Gum Disease in Whittier?

A build-up of plaque and tartar are the chief causes of this disease. Plaque is the soft, sticky substance that builds up on your teeth overnight or after you eat sugary foods. If it’s not removed, it will eventually harden into tartar (also called calculus). It is impossible to remove tartar without professional dental instruments. A toothbrush and floss will only remove plaque.

Plaque and tartar are filled with bacteria. When you eat foods – particularly carbohydrates – the plaque feed, too. When they do this, they release acids that damage the teeth and can lead to decay.

The bacteria and the acids they produce are very irritating to your delicate gum tissue. Therefore, if it’s not removed regularly (with twice-daily brushing and daily flossing), it causes irritation and inflammation.

The gum tissue reacts as your finger would if you got a sliver. The skin around the sliver would swell, turn red, and be tender or even painful. If the sliver isn’t removed, you risk infection.

Plaque and tartar are like a sliver in your gum tissue. And left untreated, the tissue will react by swelling, becoming painful, and even bleeding. Over time, the gum tissue – and even the bone surrounding your teeth – will start to recede in an effort to distance themselves from the irritating plaque and tartar.

What Periodontal Treatment Options Do I Have?

One of the best treatments for periodontal disease in Whittier is scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning. Our hygienist numbs the gum tissue and uses specialized instruments to clean well below the gum line to ensure all the plaque and tartar are eliminated.

If you have progressed gum disease in Whittier, we may have to consider surgical options, such as:

Pocket reduction surgery
Gum grafts
Bone regeneration

How Much Does Periodontal Treatment in Whittier Cost?

The cost of periodontal treatments in Whittier varies depending on the type of treatment you need. Our team can provide you with an accurate estimate based on your insurance information. We offer payment plans and outside financing, too.

Why Is It So Important to Treat Gum Disease?

In addition to the risk of tooth loss, periodontal disease is linked to a number of other health issues, including:

Heart disease
Diabetes
Stroke
Respiratory disease

You Can Prevent Periodontal Disease in Whittier

We don’t want you to lose your teeth – just as much as you don’t want to lose them! Together, we can work to create a dental healthcare plan to protect your teeth and gums. Regular visits to your Whittier dentist will help us find indicators of disease early. The earlier we treat gum disease, the fewer issues you’ll have down the road. And with regular dental examinations and prophylactic cleanings, we can even prevent gum disease in Whittier altogether!

Concerned You Might Have Gum Disease?

Contact our team to schedule a consultation and periodontal evaluation.