In the first stage of periodontitis, called gingivitis, you may notice redness and swelling of the gums and bad breath. Gums can also bleed when brushing or flossing. Gingivitis, which is reversible, can be treated by improving dental care at home and visiting the dentist regularly for treatment. The second stage of the disease, known as mild periodontal disease, is not reversible.
Mild periodontal disease involves more bleeding, redness, and swelling, but you still don't feel pain. However, the infection spreads below the gum line and begins to destroy the bone that supports the tooth. Advanced periodontal disease is the most serious stage of gum disease. At this stage, teeth lose their structural support.
When this happens, you find that your teeth become loose and abscesses can form. Your gums will also become more inflamed and you may find it difficult to eat, since chewing will hurt. You may also experience severe halitosis and your risk of tooth loss will increase. A typical dental hygiene visit involves removing plaque and tartar from between the teeth and below the gum line.
A dental hygiene visit is recommended at least twice a year. When performing a dental cleaning, if signs of gum disease are discovered, more frequent visits are generally recommended. Dental hygiene visits can be effective in preventing periodontitis and treating the disease in its early stages. Initial periodontal disease treatment begins with training to improve the dental cleaning technique and thorough cleaning, known as debridement.
Debridement is an intensive procedure that removes bacteria and calculus from the gums and roots of the teeth. Without treatment for initial periodontitis, your condition will progress to stage 2: moderate periodontitis. The main difference between initial and moderate periodontitis is the amount of damage to the ligaments or joints between the root of the tooth and its socket. Initial periodontitis is when the damage is only minor, almost undetectable.
Moderate periodontitis should be more obvious to your dental team because there is more damage, which unfortunately is permanent. When gingivitis is not controlled, it can quickly become the first stage of periodontitis, which is destructive. Gum inflammation is caused by the buildup of bacteria and plaque on and below the gum line. Stage 1 periodontitis is treated with a deep cleansing called debridement.
Stage 1 periodontitis is not reversible, like gingivitis. The main difference between initial periodontitis and moderate periodontitis is the damage between the ligaments of the root of the tooth and its cavity. In early periodontitis, the damage is very minor and may even be undetectable. However, with moderate periodontitis, the damage is more evident and, unfortunately, permanent.
During this first stage, oral bacteria penetrate the gaps between the teeth and the gums. The gums then develop an infection and you may start to notice signs of gingivitis. Kacos, the Shreveport dentist, says people start to develop bad breath, gums turn red and swell, and there's some bleeding when brushing their teeth. At this point, rigorous dental hygiene (brushing and flossing as recommended by dentists) can reverse and cure this level of periodontal disease.
This second level of gum disease may not show any symptoms or signs. Kacos calls this stage the “silent phase” of periodontal disease. Occasionally, patients with this level of gum disease may notice that their gums are redder and swollen than they used to be during the first level of gum disease. Bad breath may also worsen, in addition to bleeding, when you floss or brush your teeth.
Farhat, dentist in Sterling Heights, MI, about the second stage of gum disease. Farhat strongly recommends that patients on stage wear a seat belt in their oral hygiene. He says this stage determines if gum disease will improve or worsen dramatically. Periodontal disease or periodontitis is a condition that occurs when bacteria found in plaque build up around teeth and gums, causing inflammation.
For advanced stages of periodontal disease, more advanced periodontal procedures may be required to remove calculus in deep pockets. Your periodontist can use laser-assisted periodontal treatment procedures to treat the later stages of periodontal disease. . .
