Periodontics in Walnut Creek, CA

Periodontics is a dental specialty that deals with diagnosing and treating periodontal disease. It is a condition that affects the soft tissues that surround your teeth.

Periodontal disease has several stages. The first stage is gingivitis, which is a mild form of periodontitis. In gingivitis, the gums start to become irritated and inflamed. Gingivitis occurs when plaque and tartar accumulate around the gum line. When left untreated, gingivitis can progress to a more severe form of periodontitis.

When signs of periodontal disease are detected, we will provide you with the best treatment options to treat the condition and prevent it from becoming even more severe.

What Are the Symptoms of Periodontal Disease?

When you have periodontal disease, you may experience the following symptoms:

Bleeding and swollen gums
Loose teeth
Receding gums
Bad breath
Dull chewing sensation in your mouth
Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks
Pus accumulation around the gums
Swollen glands in your neck or jaw area
A shallow bite when you chew food
Loosening of teeth from their sockets due to bone loss
Tooth loss due to bone loss

In certain cases, you may develop an abscess or an inflammation of the lymph nodes in your neck or jaw area that may be painful and cause fever in some cases. This indicates advanced periodontal disease.

Causes of Periodontal Disease

The causes of periodontal disease include:

Bacteria: The plaque that forms on your teeth contains harmful bacteria that attack your teeth and gums and cause inflammation. These bacteria also generate toxins that destroy tooth-supporting tissues. The bacteria get deposited in between your teeth and gums, where they form a sticky substance called tartar. Over time, this substance hardens into the calculus that is very difficult to remove.
Genetics: Your genes can make you more prone to developing periodontal disease than others. If one of your parents has had periodontal disease in the past, there is a higher chance for you to develop this condition too.
Tobacco use: Smoking tobacco products can increase your chances of developing gum diseases. It also accelerates damage to your oral health over time and makes it more difficult for you to get relief from gum diseases when they occur.

Other factors include poor oral hygiene, consuming sugary foods and drinks, consuming alcohol, hormonal changes, pregnancy, diabetes and stress. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss because it affects the soft tissues that support your teeth.

Reach out to our dental practice in Walnut Creek, CA, to have a consultation with our dentist. Call our Dentist Walnut Creek CA at (925) 937-2273 or schedule an online consultation, and we'll guide you further.

Periodontics in Walnut Creek, CA