Periodontal Disease Gardena CA

What is Periodontal (Gum) Disease?

Periodontal Disease Gardena, CA

Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is inflammation of the gum tissue. It can result in gum infections, gingival recession, bone loss, and eventually, tooth loss.

The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, which is reversible. Once the disease progresses, it is no longer reversible. Thankfully, we can arrest the disease and prevent pain and tooth loss with periodontal disease treatments in Gardena.

What Causes Periodontal Disease?

The chief contributing cause of gum disease is the build-up of plaque and tartar.

Plaque is a sticky substance that builds up on your teeth overnight and after eating. If you don’t remove plaque regularly, it eventually calcifies, turning into tartar (also called calculus). You can easily remove plaque with a toothbrush and floss, but it requires specialized dental tools to remove tartar.

Plaque and tartar contain bacteria, which irritate the gum tissue. As the bacteria feed off the sugars in your foods, they release acids that further irritate the tissue.

Over time, the irritated tissue swells, turns red, and becomes painful. You can even get an infection. Eventually, the gums – and even the bone surrounding your teeth – will recede to get away from the irritating substance. The recession can result in loose teeth and even tooth loss.

Periodontal Disease Gardena CA
Periodontal Disease Gardena CA

Why Is It Important to Treat Gum Disease?

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. We want to help you keep your teeth for a lifetime, and the best way to do that once you have gum disease is to treat it.

In addition to tooth loss, researchers link periodontal disease to other health conditions, such as:

  • Heart attack
  • Heart disease
  • Stoke
  • Respiratory disease
  • Diabetes

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease in Gardena?

If you have any of the following symptoms, you likely have gum disease. Your Gardena dentist can evaluate your symptoms and determine what stage of the disease you’re in and the best form of treatment.

Signs of periodontal disease include:

  • Dark red (even purple) gum tissue
  • Puffy, inflamed gums
  • Sore gums
  • Bleeding when you brush or floss (or in severe cases, random bleeding)
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Changes in your bite
  • New spaces between your teeth
  • Difficulty chewing
  • An abscess on your gums
  • Pus between your teeth
  • Receding gums
  • Loose teeth
Periodontal Disease Gardena CA
Periodontal Disease Gardena CA

What Are the Treatment Options for Periodontal Disease?

The most common periodontal disease treatment is a deep cleaning, called scaling and root planing. Your Gardena dentist or hygienist will numb your teeth and gums before using specialized instruments to clean plaque and tartar below the gumline. They’ll finish by smoothing the root surfaces to ensure proper healing and pocket reduction, in addition to helping to prevent future plaque build-up.

Other treatments for periodontal disease in Gardena include:

  • Pocket antibiotic treatment
  • Soft tissue grafting
  • Pocket reduction surgery
  • Bone regeneration surgery

How Much Does Periodontal Treatment Cost?

The cost of periodontal treatments in Gardena depends on the type of treatment needed and the number of teeth involved. Gingival antibiotic treatment can cost between $30 and $90 per tooth. Deep cleanings start around $275 per quadrant. Periodontal surgeries cost between $300 and $1200 per tooth.

Will Insurance Pay for Periodontal Treatments?

Some insurance companies pay as much as 80% of periodontal treatments (up to your annual maximum). Talk to our dental team to get an estimate and discuss payment options and outside financing.

Periodontal Disease Gardena CA

Can You Prevent Gum Disease?

Your Gardena dentist doesn’t want you to develop gum disease or lose any teeth. To help you avoid that, they’ll create a preventative dental healthcare plan that will help protect your gums. They’ll provide tips and recommend techniques that will help improve your homecare, too.

As a team, we can keep your gums healthy and prevent gum disease, as well as conditions related to periodontal disease.

Let’s Work Together to Prevent Gum Disease And Promote Oral Health

Contact us to learn more about gum disease prevention and schedule your next cleaning.

WHY CHOOSE US?

CALL (424) 295-7885
OR
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT NOW!

Request Appointment