Gum disease occurs when plaque and tartar build up on teeth, irritating the gum tissue. While the early stages of gum disease can be reversed, when left untreated, it is incredibly harmful to the mouth and other areas of the body. Mill Creek Dental provides periodontal disease treatment as a restorative dentistry service. We want to ensure you have a healthy smile that functions properly.
The Stages of Gum Disease
Understanding the stages of gum disease is important because early detection can help stop the progression and save teeth. The longer gum disease goes untreated, the more severe the symptoms.
Stage 1: Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. At this stage, the gums become inflamed due to plaque buildup, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth. Plaque occurs naturally, but if you don’t brush and floss regularly, it can harden into tartar, which irritates the gums.
Signs of Gingivitis:
- Red and swollen gums: Healthy gums should be pink. When they become red and puffy, it’s a sign of inflammation.
- Bleeding gums: If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, this could indicate gingivitis.
- Bad breath: The bacteria in plaque can cause an unpleasant odor.
Gingivitis is reversible with good oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist for cleanings can clear up this stage of gum disease before it worsens.
Stage 2: Early Periodontitis
If gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to early periodontitis. At this stage, the infection spreads below the gumline and into the bone supporting the teeth. Plaque and tartar build up, causing the gums to pull away from the teeth and form small pockets. Bacteria thrive in these pockets, which worsens the infection.
Signs of Early Periodontitis:
- Receding gums: You may notice that your gums are starting to shrink or pull away from your teeth, making them look longer.
- Deeper pockets around the teeth: Dentists measure the depth of gum pockets to determine the extent of the disease. Pockets deeper than 3 millimeters are a sign of periodontitis.
- Mild bone loss: At this stage, there is usually some loss of the bone that holds your teeth in place.
Early periodontitis requires more intensive treatment, such as scaling and root planing. This deep-cleaning procedure removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooths the tooth roots to help the gums reattach to the teeth. Regular cleanings and improved oral care can slow the progression of the disease.
Stage 3: Moderate Periodontitis
In this stage, gum disease becomes more advanced, and damage to the teeth’s supporting structures increases. The infection in the gums deepens, destroying more bone and tissue. Pockets around the teeth become even deeper, allowing more bacteria to accumulate.
Signs of Moderate Periodontitis:
- Increased gum recession: The gums continue to recede, exposing more of the tooth roots.
- Loose teeth: Losing bone support makes the teeth feel loose or wobbly.
- More severe bone loss: As the infection worsens, the bone around the teeth breaks down more, making it harder for the teeth to stay firmly in place.
Moderate periodontitis requires more aggressive treatment. In addition to scaling and root planing, dentists may recommend antibiotics to fight the infection. In some cases, surgery may be needed to reduce the size of the pockets and restore the gums and bone.
Stage 4: Advanced Periodontitis
Advanced periodontitis is the most severe stage of gum disease. By this point, the infection has destroyed a significant amount of bone and tissue, and teeth are at risk of falling out. The gums recede even more, and the deep pockets make it nearly impossible to clean away the bacteria with brushing or flossing alone.
Signs of Advanced Periodontitis:
- Severe gum recession: The gums have pulled far away from the teeth, leaving large gaps where bacteria can thrive.
- Loose or shifting teeth: The teeth may move or drift out of place due to the loss of bone and gum support.
- Pus between the teeth and gums: An abscess or infection can form in the deep pockets, leading to painful swelling and pus.
- Tooth loss: Teeth may fall out or need to be removed due to the extent of the damage.
At this stage, extensive treatment is required to save the teeth. Surgery to clean out the pockets and repair the bone is often necessary. In severe cases, tooth extraction and dental implants may be the only option to restore function and appearance.
Periodontal Disease Treatment in Canton, TX
There are several different ways to treat gum disease, depending on the severity of the case. Each patient receives a personalized treatment plan so we can determine the best path for their unique needs.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a deep-cleaning dental procedure for treating gum disease. Plaque and tartar build up on teeth, causing gums to become inflamed. If left untreated, this can lead to periodontitis, a serious gum infection that can damage the bone supporting your teeth. Scaling and root planing help to clean below the gum line and stop the infection from spreading.
Scaling is the first part of the procedure. During scaling, the dentist or hygienist uses special tools to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth and below the gumline. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria, and tartar is hardened plaque that cannot be removed by brushing alone. Scaling reaches deep into the pockets between your gums and teeth, where bacteria thrive.
After scaling, the dentist moves on to root planing. This process smooths the surfaces of your tooth roots, which may have become rough due to the buildup of plaque and tartar. Smoothing these surfaces helps your gums reattach to the teeth and reduces the size of the pockets where bacteria can hide.
Scaling and root planing are essential for stopping gum disease from progressing. Without treatment, gum disease can lead to tooth loss, gum recession, and damage to the bone around your teeth. This deep-cleaning procedure helps reduce inflammation, allowing your gums to heal and reattach to your teeth.
Laser Gum Treatment
Laser treatment for gum disease is a modern and effective way to treat periodontal disease. When gum disease progresses, it can damage the gums and bones that support teeth. Laser treatment uses focused light energy to remove infected tissue, kill bacteria, and promote healing. This minimally invasive procedure is often an alternative to traditional gum surgery.
During laser treatment, a dentist uses a dental laser to target and remove diseased tissue around the gums. The laser precisely removes the infected areas while leaving healthy tissue intact. It also helps sterilize the area, killing bacteria that contribute to gum disease. The laser’s heat seals off blood vessels and nerve endings, which can reduce bleeding and discomfort during the procedure.
Laser treatment offers several benefits for treating gum disease. It effectively reduces the size of the pockets between the gums and teeth, where harmful bacteria grow. It also encourages the gums to reattach to the tooth surfaces, helping to stop the disease’s further progression. The laser’s precision means that healthy tissue remains unharmed, promoting faster healing and less pain than traditional surgery.
Laser treatment is a key option for managing advanced gum disease. It is less invasive than conventional gum surgery, which involves cutting and stitching the gums. With laser treatment, patients often experience less pain, faster recovery, and minimal bleeding. By targeting only the infected tissue, the procedure preserves as much of the healthy gum as possible.
Schedule an Appointment
If you notice your gums bleeding regularly, don’t wait to get them checked out. Call our office or schedule an appointment online.