Stages of Gum Disease

At Caldwell Dental Care, we are committed to helping our patients maintain healthy and beautiful smiles. One of the biggest threats to our patients' dental health is periodontal disease. In this blog post, our Orange County cosmetic dentists review the stages of gum disease, as well as the treatment options for this serious condition.

Gingivitis

The first stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is easy to detect; the build-up of plaque along the gum line results in red, swollen gums that bleed easily. It also causes bad breath. The condition is fairly common and typically affects patients that:

• Have poor oral hygiene habits
• Use tobacco products
• Have diabetes
• Are in their senior years
• Have dry mouth
• Take certain medications
• Have braces
• Are undergoing hormonal changes relating to puberty, pregnancy, menstruation, or use of birth control pills
• Abuse alcohol or drugs
• Have ill-fitting dental restorations

Fortunately, gingivitis is easily reversed when patients adopt a proper oral health care regimen. This should include a professional dental exam, in which all signs of tartar and plaque can be removed between the teeth and along the gum line. In addition, patients should brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. In some cases, patients may need to use an antiseptic mouthwash to treat gingivitis.

Early Periodontal Disease

If gingivitis is not treated, it will progress into periodontal disease, or gum disease. In the early stages of gum disease, swelling, bleeding, and bad breath is more pronounced, and the gums start to pull away from the teeth as a result of inflammation. When the gums separate from the teeth, pockets that are about 3 to 4 mm deep form; they eventually get filled with calculus, bacterial plaque, and food particles. At this stage, the infection is growing and causing damage to the bones that support the teeth.

Moderate Periodontal Disease

Patients with moderate periodontal disease may have gum pockets that are 4 to 6 mm deep, boils or abscesses in the gum, receding gums, and shifting teeth. As the gums continue the recede, more of the tooth will show; as the bone degenerates, the teeth are allowed to move out place or become loose.  

Advanced Periodontal Disease

As gum disease advances, the infection gets increasingly painful as pressure builds up below the gum line and the tooth roots are exposed. At this point, patients have pockets that are more than 6 mm deep, and the teeth begin falling out or must be extracted.

Gum Disease Treatment

There are several treatment options available to patients that have gum disease. The type of treatment that is right for you depends on the severity of the condition, but may include:

• Scaling and root planing:This treatment involves the removal of plaque, tartar, and all signs of infection from tooth roots, and from periodontal pockets that have formed.
• Local delivery of medication:The delivery of antibiotics at the site of the infection can kill the bacteria that are present. 
• Pocket reduction surgery:In this procedure, unhealthy gum tissue is removed and damaged bone may be smoothed out. Next, the gums are secured into place and the tissue is allowed to reattach to the bone and teeth.

Contact Caldwell Dental Care today to schedule an appointment at our practice.