The Different Stages of Periodontal Disease

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Bleeding, swelling, and redness of gums can be indicative of periodontal disease. These are a set of inflammatory conditions that can affect the surrounding areas of your teeth and lead to infections in the gums.

Early diagnosis can help alleviate the condition before it worsens and starts affecting the teeth. Regular dental visits can ensure that any underlying issues with your oral cavity are identified and treated promptly.

Here’s how periodontal disease can affect your mouth in four stages:

Gingivitis

The plaque buildup around your teeth can attack your gums and lead to swelling and bleeding. Gingivitis is the first step of periodontal disease and is the only reversible stage. Some symptoms of the condition include bad breath and bleeding while brushing and flossing.

Since most of these signs are painless, they’re likely to be ignored. This is what makes gingivitis a silent condition. Taking good care of your mouth, including regular dental checkups, can reduce the risk of gingivitis advancement.

Early Periodontal Disease

When the bacteria that has caused gingivitis becomes more aggressive, it can start to affect the jawbone. Mild periodontal disease isn’t reversible, but it can still be treated. Since the bone has just started to deteriorate, you may notice that your gums have started to recede.

As a result, increased swelling, redness, and bleeding can occur, which can’t be treated with good oral hygiene. At this point, it’s helpful to seek immediate dental help. Your dentist will find the best possible solution for early treatment.

Moderate Periodontal Disease

If moderate periodontal disease is left untreated, it may lead to the third stage. Moderate periodontal disease has the same symptoms as the previous stage, but you may notice that your gums have receded further.

Treatment options at this stage include root planing and scaling. It’s a form of deep cleaning that gets rid of the bacteria in your mouth and stops the condition from worsening.

Advanced Periodontal Disease

The last stage of periodontal disease can put you at a high risk of bone loss. In addition to bleeding and swelling, you may now experience pus, painful chewing, sensitivity, loosened teeth, and halitosis.

The possible treatment options available at this stage include periodontal laser therapy or surgery—these work by eliminating the bacteria in your mouth and reducing the gaps formed between teeth.

The best protection against periodontal diseases is good oral hygiene and regular dentist visits. For dental cleaning, veneers, dentures, and affordable dental crowns in NJ, reach out to us at Rapha Dental.

Call us at (856) 829-8668 for an appointment with the best cosmetic dentist NJ.