What Are The 5 Stages of Gum Disease?

Regarding oral health, periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, affects millions worldwide. It can go from a mild irritation of the gums to a more dangerous condition if you don’t take care of it. You need to know the stages of gum disease if you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy and avoid cavities and gum disease.

This article goes over the signs and how gum disease worsens. We have also covered different ways suggested by Lucas Family Dentist to treat each of the five stages.

5 Stages of Gum Disease

First Stage: Gingivitis

Gingivitis, red, swollen gums, is the first sign of gum disease. This disease is caused by plaque, a film of bacteria that sticks to the gums and makes them swell. People with gingivitis have red, swollen lips that bleed when brushing or flossing. However, the dentist can help fix the lips and bones below them with proper treatment.

Second Stage: Early Periodontitis

If you don’t treat gingivitis, it can turn into early periodontitis. During this stage, pockets form between the teeth and lips because the swelling has spread below the gumline. Because bacteria love these cracks, they damage the gums and supporting structures more.

Symptoms can include persistent bad breath, pulling gums away from the teeth, and a solid reaction to heat or cold. To avoid this condition, you need to follow good oral hygiene practices and visit the dentist regularly.

Third Stage: Moderate Periodontitis

As the disease gets worse, deeper pockets form around the teeth. This is a sign of mild periodontitis. The gums may pull away even more as the disease worsens, leaving more of the tooth’s surface uncovered.

This infection makes the tooth more likely to decay and fall out. Patients may also show signs seen in the early stages, such as loose or moving teeth, changes in how it feels to bite down, and others.

Fourth Stage: Severe Periodontitis

Periodontitis can damage the gums, bones, and surrounding tissues when it gets really bad. At this stage, the holes around the teeth get much deeper, and pus might be visible around the gums. Most of the time, people notice that their teeth move around.

They may even feel a lot of pain and soreness when they chew. If you don’t treat advanced periodontitis, you could lose your teeth and have other serious health issues. Lucas Family Dentist can help you resolve these issues carefully.

Fifth Stage: Refractory Periodontitis

People who don’t get better after ordinary periodontal care are said to have refractory periodontitis. Even after multiple treatments, such as scaling and root cutting, these patients’ gum disease worsens. Refractory periodontitis can be caused by poor oral care, genetic factors, or diseases that affect the whole body.

Different Ways to Treat Gum Diseases

The best way to treat gum disease depends on how bad it is and how quickly it worsens. If gingivitis is caught early enough, better oral hygiene habits like brushing more often, flossing more carefully, and going to the dentist for regular cleanings can reverse it. As the disease gets worse, more intensive treatments may be needed, such as –

• Lucas Family Dentist suggests antibiotics to treat gum inflammation and bacterial illnesses.
• Regular dental check-ups and cleanings at the dentist are essential to control gum disease and prevent it from returning.
• Scaling and root cutting are professional teeth cleaning methods that involve going below the gum line to remove tartar and plaque.
• When the disease worsens, surgery, such as bone grafting or flap surgery, might be necessary to repair damaged tissues and prevent further tooth loss.

Conclusion

Gum disease can be avoided, but if it occurs too often, it can cause significant problems if not treated timely. It is very important to act quickly to prevent it from further damaging teeth and the tissues that support them. If you think you have gum disease, you should immediately book an appointment with Lucas Family Dentist.