Right from childhood, we all have been taught to follow oral hygiene to ensure good oral health. The busy life, however, sometimes gets in the way of maintaining oral health and becomes one of the main factors for early-stage gingivitis. According to a report, around 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and more suffer from some or other form of oral disease. Almost 70.1% of adults between age 65-70 years suffer from periodontal disease in the United States alone.
If you want to know how an improper oral routine affects your gums and what periodontal disease stages are, this article is for you.
What is a Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a dental condition that affects the gum surrounding the teeth, causing inflammation and infection. The infection is mainly caused by the growth of bacteria in the mouth. If left unnoticed, the bacteria deteriorate the gums by forming plaque and tartar.
One of the main symptoms of gum disease is inflammation, redness, and bleeding. It develops progressively into advanced periodontitis, which can even cause teeth to fall out.
Hence, you must visit a gum disease specialist when you notice a slight change in your oral health.
What are Periodontal Disease Stages?
The receding gum stages in four parts. Understanding these stages can help you detect any sign of gum disease and get treatment at the right time.
1. Gingivitis
Gum inflammation, or gingivitis, is the initial stage of periodontal disease. During this stage, bacteria accumulate around the teeth and cause painless plaque development. It is common in people who do not follow dental hygiene.
2. Initial Periodontitis
If gingivitis is left unnoticed, it can advance and damage the deeper gum structures that connect the teeth and bone. The infection spreads rapidly to the bones at this stage and destroys the bone structure.
3. Mild Periodontitis
The third periodontal disease stage is also known as mild periodontitis. During this stage, you can notice significant bone loss, which can strip away 20-50% of the teeth’s root surface.
Mild periodontitis is caused by chronic inflammation and requires immediate attention. It can quickly advance into the fourth and final stage of periodontal disease.
4. Progressive Periodontitis
The final stage of periodontal disease is progressive periodontitis, identified by severe bone loss from the tooth root. Around 50-85% of the bone has deteriorated by reaching the fourth stage. This can lead to tooth loosening, inflammation, painful gums, and even pus-filled lesions.
The stage is crucial as it can severely impact your teeth, causing permanent tooth loss and severe pain while eating or speaking.
Can Periodontal Disease Be Treated at the Fourth Stage?
Gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal disease, is extremely common in people over 30 and can be treated with proper dental care, including brushing, flossing, dental cleaning, and mouthwash. Frequent visits to a dentist for regular checkups and dental cleanings are also essential to identify periodontal disease in its benign stage.
While the other three stages can be treated with medications, the fourth stage can only be treated surgically. Your dentist may recommend either flap surgery or pocket reduction surgery. A tiny incision will be made on the gum to expose roots for scaling and planting.
What Causes Periodontal Diseases?
Periodontal disease is mainly caused by poor oral hygiene. Bacteria clinging to plaque and tartar on the tooth surface is the leading reason behind the disease. If you do not follow an oral hygiene routine, the bacteria can travel down to your gum line, where the toothbrush and floss cannot reach. These bacteria erode the tissues supporting your teeth, leading to infection, bone loss, and tooth loss.
Other factors include:
- Smoking
- Certain medical conditions, including Diabetes
- Genetics and family history of periodontal diseases
- Hormonal changes in women
- Other inflammatory conditions include arthritis or cardiovascular diseases
To Sum It Up
Proper tooth care and good oral hygiene practices safeguard teeth and gums. It is also important to pay close attention to your teeth and gums and immediately visit a dentist if you notice any change.
There is a high chance of gum disease if you notice any sign of severe plaque or redness in your gums. In such cases, you need to get professional help.
Understanding the periodontal disease stages is crucial for early intervention and effective treatment. For expert care and treatment of periodontal disease, contact Periodontal Specialists.
Our experienced periodontists are dedicated to providing comprehensive care to help you maintain optimal oral health.
