Do you have gum disease? It can be hard to know unless you are familiar with the stages of this condition. Unlike other tooth-related conditions, gum disease develops slowly over time. It can worsen so much so that you need advanced dental care. Our team at Lovett Dental Kohrville can help you immunize this through preventative dentistry or treatment for your condition.
What Is Gum Disease?
Those who have gum disease have an inflammation of the gums or the soft, pink tissue that lines the teeth. The gums are essential. They help to support the teeth to keep them in place. Bacteria can invade these soft tissues, causing a significant amount of breakdown and inflammation. Infection can also occur. As this happens, we recognize it as gum disease. Take a look at how this condition progresses from one stage to the next.
Stage 1: Gingivitis
You may have slight bleeding of the gums. You may only notice it when you brush your teeth, and your toothpaste has a pink color. Most often, in gingivitis, you have just a small amount of tenderness to gums. They may also seem to be loose and pulling away from your teeth, but tend to look normal. Sometimes they are pale in color. Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease when the plaque on your teeth and bacteria grows. It’s building up along your gum line and starts to cause damage to the gums. In this stage, your dentist can treat gingivitis with dental cleanings and treatment for any infections.
Stage 2: Periodontitis
In this second step, the condition is worsening. The infection will spread from the gums to the fibers that hold the teeth in place. It can also attack the jawbone, leaving your teeth loose. Periodontal pockets can form, which are spaces between the teeth. You will likely notice that your gums are pulling away from your teeth. There may be swelling present. You may also see that your gum tissue is less.
Periodontics is required at this point to improve the condition. That means improving oral hygiene at home, but it also means a deep cleaning to remove as much of the plaque and buildup possible from this area.
Stage 3: Advanced Periodontitis
This condition will worsen to advanced levels. Here, the fibers and bones supporting your teeth are significantly damaged. Tooth loss may occur. You may have other complications, too, such as bacteria buildup entering the bloodstream, which can travel to your heart or brain. Periodontics treatments here are critical to remove damaged teeth and tissue. Reversing the damage is not likely possible, though, after healing, dental implants may help restore your smile.
How Can You Prevent This?
When it comes to gingivitis or more advanced gum disease, the best treatment is routine exams from your dentist. It is also a good idea to turn to our periodontics team to learn more about advanced treatment options. We offer all of the services you may need, including:
- Dental cleanings and repairs
- Tooth extraction procedures
- Dental fluoride treatments
- Dental implant specialists
As you consider your oral health, remember that your gums are essential. If they are no longer healthy, pink, and secure to your teeth, you may need restoring treatment options.
The Importance of Preventing Gum Disease
One of the most important reasons to prevent gum disease is that it can lead to tooth loss. Losing your teeth brings a range of dental problems, and, if you don’t have healthy gums, you most likely won’t be a candidate for dental implants or bridges. However, the damage won’t be confined to your mouth. Periodontal disease has been linked to a number of severe diseases and conditions.
- Chronic respiratory disease
- Dementia
- Pregnancy complications
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
At this time, we don’t know if gum disease truly causes these significant health issues or if those with these health issues have a more difficult time caring for their gums and teeth. However, we do know that the connection between these conditions is relatively strong. Therefore, addressing the issues surrounding gum disease is an excellent way to manage your overall health. Finding periodontal treatment when you suffer from gum disease and regularly brushing and flossing your teeth is an excellent step towards recovery.
Protect Your Teeth with Routine Visits to Lovett Dental Kohrville
Gum disease is a progressive disease, but it is one you can control. The best way to do that is to come in to see your periodontics team if you have gingivitis or any of the signs of gum disease. At Lovett Dental Kohrville, we’re proud to provide a wide array of dental services to ensure that your teeth and gums remain healthy as long as possible. Our team has the tools to help you. Call 832-843-6776 for an appointment or reach out to our team online today.
