General Information on Gum Disease

Whether it is due to poor at-home oral care, or missing too many trips to the dentist, patients can accumulate tartar and plaque both above, at and even blow the gum line. When this is the case, your gums may become infected, leading to the need for a deep cleaning or other treatments to resolve the issues. By understanding gum disease, you can better understand the importance of proper at-home care, and regular trips to the dentist.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) occurs when bacteria accumulates at and below the gum line. This causes inflammation and—if left untreated—can even lead to a patient losing their teeth and sustaining damage to the jawbone.

What Are the Degrees of Periodontal Disease?

Like with many other medical illnesses, the earlier you catch and treat periodontal disease, the better the likelihood of you making a full recovery. Here are the different degrees of periodontal disease, and what defines them:

Gingivitis

The first stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis. This is the most common, and is easily treated. At this point, a patient has plaque accumulating at and below the gum line that needs to be cleaned—generally with a scaling and root planing procedure.

Periodontitis

The next stage of periodontal disease is periodontitis. This is when the disease starts to become more serious—and where more severe damage may occur. Pockets will often form below the gum line, and the bones and fiber that hold the teeth in place may be compromised—possibly even beyond a point in which they can be repaired.

Advanced Periodontitis

At this point, a patient will have damage that is irreparable. A dentist will provide procedures that are forms of damage control, and procedures to help the patient to avoid the periodontal disease from getting worse. They will also treat the disease—although they may not be able to fix the damage that has been done to the teeth and jawbone. Patients may lose bone tissue and may lose teeth.

What Are the Symptoms of Periodontal Disease?

In order to stop the gum disease from advancing, it’s important to understand the symptoms of gum disease. The earlier you catch the disease, the easier it will be to treat. Here are a few signs to look out for:

• Red Gums
• Swollen Gums
• Bad Breath
• Bleeding Gums (Including During Brushing)
• Pus
• Loose Teeth
• Receding Gums

Some of these are signs of gingivitis, while others are signs of a more advanced form of periodontal disease.

Visiting Your Dentist

Whether you simply have red and swollen gums or you can feel your teeth becoming loose, it’s extremely important to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Do not wait until the damage gets any worse!

With proper care (and sometimes a deep cleaning), gingivitis is treatable. For more advanced gum disease, speak with your dentist about treatment options. Also, make sure to have your next cleaning and checkup in the books to avoid periodontal disease entirely.