Gum disease is an incredibly common issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of adults over the age of 30 have gum disease at one severity or another. When untreated, it can progress, causing a wide range of issues. This can be anything from tooth loss to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. The good news is that your dentist may be able to help reverse your symptoms, but this depends on what stage of gum disease you have. Continue reading to learn about the different stages of gum disease and how they can be addressed.
Stage 1: Gingivitis
This is the least severe form of gum disease. The symptoms include redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gum tissue. The signs are mostly painless during this stage, so many people don’t even realize it’s an issue. Gingivitis is the only stage of gum disease that is reversible because it hasn’t had enough time to attack the jawbone. To get your smile back to health, good oral hygiene practices and routine checkups are needed.
Stage 2: Mild Periodontitis
The second stage of gum disease, mild periodontitis, is no longer reversible. However, it can be managed. At this point, the infection of the gums has spread to the bone. The bacteria have evolved and become more aggressive, leading to additional bone loss. Excellent oral hygiene isn’t enough to tackle the issue – you will need help from your dentist. Some common signs include swelling, redness, bad breath, bleeding, and gingival pockets that are 4-5 millimeters deep.
Stage 3: Moderate Periodontitis
The effects of stage three gum disease cannot be reversed. At this point, the depths of the gingival pockets have reached 6-7 millimeters. Bacteria not only attack your bone tissue but can also affect your immune system. Treatment could include scaling and root planing as well as antibiotic treatment to control bacteria deposits.
Stage 4: Severe Periodontitis
This is the final stage of gum disease. Patients with severe periodontitis experience additional bone loss, swollen gums that ooze pus, temperature sensitivity, loose teeth, painful chewing, very bad breath, and tooth loss. Urgent treatment is necessary, or you could experience serious health issues, sometimes elsewhere in the body.
Gum disease can become very serious, but it’s also easy to prevent. By seeing your dentist regularly, maintaining excellent oral hygiene, and being aware of your risk factors, you can work to maintain a healthy smile!
About the Author
Dr. Lauri Barge earned her dental doctorate at Texas A&M College of Dentistry. Since graduating, she has been committed to continuing education, including the Core Curriculum for complex restorative and aesthetic cases at the Las Vegas Institute. Currently, she is a proud member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. To learn more about gum disease or to schedule an appointment at her office in Flower Mound, visit her website or call (972) 539-3800.