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The Stages of Periodontal Disease

Lady showing signs of periodontal disease

When your gums become inflamed or infected, it is a sign of periodontal disease. It is also a sign that you’re not performing a strong enough oral routine as there are other stages that build up to periodontal disease.

One of the stages is plaque build-up. Plaque builds from food debris surrounding your teeth. If plaque continues to remain on your teeth, this hardens itself to become tartar, which eventually irritates the gums. If remained for long, Plaque eventually become dangerous. Therefore you must carry out a strong oral routine every day.

Periodontal disease can progress from mild to advanced. Your teeth will begin to fall out if the gums begin to recede quickly and, ultimately, dental emergency treatment will be necessary.

Lady experiencing sensitivity from gum disease

The Stages of Periodontal Disease Explained

Gums get progressively worse over time, and this is broken down in the following stages:

  • Gingivitis – Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. It is considered the mild stage yet is equally dangerous. Gingivitis is the result of plaque build-up around your teeth when your gums become inflamed. It is not destructive to your gums and teeth and is easily reversible by improving your oral routine. If you need advice on improving your oral routine, speak to one of our helpful dentists.
  • Mild Periodontal Disease – There are three distinct stages of periodontal disease. The first stage is considered mild when the infection has spread beyond your gums and impacts your bone. The bacteria build-up has become more aggressive and severely weakens your bone density. The deposits of bacteria can only be cleaned at a dental check-up and not through brushing and flossing at home. The underlying bone that supports your teeth in place will eventually lose its grip, causing teeth to fall out.
  • Moderate Periodontal Disease – Periodontal disease is becoming more impactful to other areas of your body and not just the mouth. The bacteria begin to penetrate inside your gums, bone and into the bloodstream. The dentist will clean out the bacteria from the pockets inside the gum to avoid further destruction of your bone and gum tissue. You may experience bleeding and swelling around the gums at this stage.
  • Advanced Periodontal Disease – The final and most severe stage of periodontal disease is when the infection is penetrating in your bloodstream. You’ll start to feel severe sensitivity in the mouth, painful mouth functioning, teeth becoming loose and bone loss. The dentist will need to perform emergency surgery to clean the bacteria pockets. The dentist may also recommend bone grafting surgery to repair lost bone.
Lady showing signs of moderate periodontal disease

How Can Periodontal Disease Be Avoided?

Periodontal disease can be avoided simply by looking after your mouth with a strong oral routine. Plaque can build up over time if you do not keep your mouth clean. This includes brushing and flossing twice a day, reducing sugar intake, avoiding tobacco and alcohol and stop using your teeth for certain habits. Check our detailed blogpost on tips to avoid periodontal disease. Your teeth are there to show off a confident smile, but it is your responsibility to keep your smile shining.

If your gums are showing signs of redness or swelling, it is a sign of periodontal disease. Contact our helpful dental team at Wollongong Dental today for treatment. We also have a team of experienced dentists in Fairy Meadow for you.

 

Disclaimer: The content provided on this website is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. Any reliance you place on the information provided in these blogs is, therefore, strictly at your own risk. We shall not be held responsible for any loss or damage resulting from the use of the information provided on this website.
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