Healthy gums are essential not only for a great smile but for overall health. Yet, gum disease continues to impact almost 20% of adults around the world. This makes it important to understand gum disease and what a person may experience throughout its various stages. Keep reading!
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the gums. It begins when plaque that is full of bacteria accumulates on teeth and gums and then hardens. Gum disease begins with swollen or bleeding gums and then spreads to the bones surrounding the gums.
What are the stages of gum disease?
Gum disease does not develop overnight, but rather, it progresses through stages, each marked by specific symptoms and varying levels of severity. Let us examine these stages in detail:
1. Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, and it often manifests as swollen, red, or bleeding gums, especially when brushing or flossing.
The good news? There are ways to both reverse and prevent gingivitis. You can do this by:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush.
- Flossing daily.
- Getting regular checkups and dental cleanings.
- Avoiding smoking or chewing tobacco.
Left untreated, however, gingivitis can progress to a more advanced gum disease.
2. Mild periodontitis
When gingivitis is left untreated, it often advances to mild periodontitis. At this stage, gums begin to recede from your teeth forming pockets that bacteria enter in. Most people will experience bleeding while brushing or flossing, as well as some bone loss. This consequently sets the stage for more advanced forms of gum disease.
3. Moderate periodontitis
In moderate periodontitis, bacteria begin to erode ligaments, which are the bones and tissues that hold your teeth in place. Your teeth may become loose in this stage, and you may experience pain as well as bad breath and infection in your gum line. To add to this, the infection can also cause an inflammatory response throughout your body.
While this stage is not reversible, it can still be managed to prevent further damage and tooth loss.
4. Advanced periodontitis
Advanced periodontitis is the most serious stage of gum disease. The bone loss and damage to your gums and tissue at this stage becomes even more pronounced and causes your teeth to become more loose or even fall out. You might also experience severe pain, bad breath, and a bad taste in your mouth.
How to prevent gum disease
There are many things you can do to prevent gum disease. These include:
- Taking care of your oral health: Brushing twice daily with a soft toothbrush, flossing once a day, and using antibacterial mouthwash can help you reduce plaque and prevent gum disease.
- Regular professional cleanings: Dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar that daily brushing cannot reach. The ADA recommends getting professional cleanings twice a year.
- A healthy diet: A diet low in sugar and high in vitamins like C and E can help your body repair damaged tissue.
There are also certain risk factors that make people more susceptible to gum disease. These include:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Certain medications like steroids, cancer therapy drugs, and oral contraceptives.
- Smoking
- Chewing tobacco
- Genetics
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
Make sure to talk to your dentist if you have any of these!
How to treat gum disease
Treatment approaches for gum disease depend on the stage of gum disease. Dental professionals will use a range of strategies designed to halt disease progression, restore oral health, and prevent further complications:
- For gingivitis: Professional cleaning, regular brushing, and flossing can be enough to reverse gingivitis. Avoiding tobacco and smoking is also important.
- For early and moderate periodontitis: Scaling and root planing which is a deep cleaning method, is often used to remove tartar, plaque, and bacteria from below the gumline and smooth out root surfaces. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to reduce bacterial infection.
- For advanced periodontitis: Surgery might become necessary when deep pockets make it difficult to clean thoroughly. Options include flap surgery, where gums are lifted to remove tartar, bacteria, or plaque, as well as bone or soft tissue grafts.
Visit Dr. Ruiz & Associates, Inc for a dentist in Burbank, CA
Gum disease is a serious condition, especially as it advances. In order to avoid the consequences of severe gum disease, it’s important to get treatment early or prevent it altogether. So, if you’re looking for a Burbank dentist to help you do this, come visit our office, Dr. Ruiz & Associates, Inc!
Dr. Ruiz is a respected dentist, educator, and researcher who has even developed a smile design technique that dentists all around the world use and practices supra-gingival dentistry, a healthier, minimally invasive form of dentistry that uses innovative techniques to save tooth structure and place restorations above the gumline.
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