WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE ?

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, affecting 3 out of 4 people at some point in life. It can be treated successfully, if detected in time. Treating and preventing gum disease brings great health benefits. By retaining your natural teeth, you can chew more comfortably and enjoy better digestion. You can have a healthy smile, a natural asset to your appearance. You can save money and avoid discomfort by preventing future dental problems.
Periodontal disease affects the gums and supporting tissue of your teeth.

STAGES OF GUM DISEASE

We often take for granted the monotonous task of brushing and flossing our teeth on a daily basis. However, it is more important to our overall health than most people realize. It has been estimated that more than 75% of Americans have some sort of gum disease. Gum disease has been linked to serious health complications, which could be avoided by maintaining your daily brushing and flossing routine, along with yearly cleanings and checkups.

There are three main stages of gum disease.

Stage 1: Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. It is caused by plaque buildup around the gumline which causes inflammation of the gums. If you neglect to brush and floss your teeth daily, this plaque buildup will trap bacteria that causes gum disease. The gums that should otherwise be pink will appear red and swollen. However, at this point, gingivitis can still be reversed. The bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place have not been affected.

If gingivitis is left untreated, the condition will become periodontitis. At this stage, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place have been irreversibly damaged. Your gums will begin to form “pockets”, which are deep hollow areas around the teeth that trap food, plaque, and bacteria.

In this final stage, periodontitis has been left untreated and is now advanced periodontitis. The bacteria that has been allowed to grow and spread has damaged the connective tissue and bone loss is now a major problem. The pockets are very deep and the teeth are now in jeopardy of being lost. It is very important, at this stage, to seek a periodontist in order to correct this much damage.