Gums are the underappreciated MVP of our mouths. They hold and protect our teeth while also acting as the first indicators of oral issues. This is why it is so important to learn the stages of gum disease! Learning these stages and reaching out to your dentist if they occur can save endless amounts of time and money. Take the time to educate yourself on these three stages of gum disease and begin improving your oral hygiene.

Gingivitis

Although it is the first stage of gum disease, gingivitis needs to be treated very seriously. The gums become inflamed due to a buildup of plaque. As plaque gathers, the bacteria it contains can affect the gum in many ways in addition to inflammation, including swelling, reddening, and even bleeding while brushing. Bad breath and spaces between teeth could also be indicators, but these things are not always involved. If detected and treated early, gingivitis is easy to deter, but the stages can progress quickly if not.

Periodontitis

When plague is left in the gum for too long, it eventually becomes hard tartar. This is not ideal for many reasons, with the main reason being the increase in difficulty to remove it. Unlike gingivitis, bad breath will definitely be a factor along with pre-existing swelling, reddening, and bleeding. A major concern with this second stage is that the plaque has now moved below the gumline and begun damaging the teeth while also pulling the gums and teeth apart. While the healing process will be much more intense and lengthy, periodontitis is treatable.

Advanced Periodontitis

As periodontitis advances, the symptoms grow much more severe. The space between the teeth and gum continues to increase, which creates more tooth damage and leads to pus filling the empty area. As the condition worsens, your bite will become affected and teeth will begin to fall out. Unfortunately, at this stage, the damage is permanent — which signifies the importance of routine checkups and informing your doctor when something feels wrong.

Barganier & LeCroy Understands Gum Disease

Barganier & LeCroy have decades of experience dealing with all stages of gum disease and preventive treatment. Gums and teeth are something that we assume we will always have, but if we don’t treat our mouths right, they will be gone. If you are worried you may be entering a stage of gum disease, it is important to see a dentist immediately. Contact us for more information.