Periodontal disease is an infection of the soft tissues that support the teeth. Caused by poor dental hygiene practices, which led to plaque build-up on the teeth. It can cause significant damage to the jaw that supports your teeth if left untreated. It's also one of the primary reasons for adult tooth loss. Periodontal disease has four stages, and it can be reversed and tooth loss avoided if recognized and treated in the early stage. That’s why today we will share the stages of periodontal disease so you can identify them, and seek professional help to avoid further damage.
- Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the only phase of periodontal disease that can be reversed since it hasn't reached the bone. It is caused by plaque accumulation around the teeth. At this time, there are just a few indicators, and the most are painless. This is why periodontal disease is so frequent and dangerous. It is silent until it becomes apparent. Periodontal disease usually does not reveal itself until the fourth and final stage. Bad breath, swelling and redness of the gums, and bleeding when brushing or flossing are all early warning symptoms to look out for. Gingivitis can be treated and reversed with good oral hygiene and frequent exams.
- Slight Periodontal Disease
Although periodontal disease is not reversible after it has progressed beyond gingivitis, it is still controllable. At this point, the infection has progressed to the bone, and bacteria that are stronger and more aggressive are attacking bone tissues. Increased gum swelling or redness, and bleeding during brushing or flossing, are signs of early periodontal disease. By exploring the depths between your gums and teeth, your dentist can detect this stage of the illness. If the depth is between four and five millimeters, you are likely suffering from slight periodontal disease, which may necessitate specialist cleaning techniques.
- Moderate Periodontal Disease
The third stage of periodontal disease, like slight periodontal disease, cannot be reversed. The same symptoms as stage two appear in stage three, but probing depths are larger at six to seven millimeters, allowing for even more germs to assault not only your bones but your bloodstream and immune system too. Scaling and root planing are used to treat periodontal disease in stages two and three. They are thorough cleaning procedures that remove bacteria deposits that have been embedded in your gums. These phases can lead to bone and tooth loss, gum sensitivity, increased bleeding, and tooth shifting if left untreated.
- Advanced Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease has progressed to the point when the infection has transformed into disease-causing bacteria. It can cause redness, swelling, pus-filled gums, sensitivity, tooth loosening, painful chewing, extreme foul breath, and bone loss, among other things. To clean the deep bacteria-filled pockets, periodontal surgery or laser treatment is required. Stage four can result in gaps or spacing between teeth, the necessity for dentures, gum recession, and other major health issues if left untreated.
Periodontal disease has several stages, but they all have one thing in common. The sooner you seek treatment, the more likely you are to save your teeth and slow or stop the disease's progression. If you suspect you have periodontal disease, don’t wait and look for a dentist near me. Heather Ridge Dentistry has all the expertise and tools needed to treat periodontal disease and many other dental problems. Contact us for more information!