When your teeth have not received all necessary care, periodontal disease can set in. The rate of periodontal disease varies greatly depending upon care, environmental factors (water source, smoking, etc.), disease, medications and other factors. Periodontal disease often goes hand-in-hand with other illnesses such as heart disease or diabetes. Making sure you have regular dental checkups, good dental hygiene and proper dental care is your best prevention and correction of periodontal disease.
If you neglect your gums, the ramifications can be severe – as the photos below illustrate.
Schedule your periodontal prevention appointment today. Call us @ 612-861-7109 or see the schedule a consultation form.
Stages of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease progresses in 3 distinct stages: from gingivitis (early stage), to periodontitis, to advanced periodontitis.
Gingivitis (early stage periodontitis)
Gingivitis is characterized by gum inflammation, a build up of plaque at the gum line which typically makes the gums red or puffed up. Your gums may bleed easily at this stage of gum disease. Gingivitis typically can be corrected with proper dental treatments.
Periodontitis (intermediate stage gum disease)
When gum disease progresses to become periodontitis, plaque spreads to your tooth roots and infection sets in and starts to spread throughout your mouth. At this stage, the infection damages jawbone tissue as well as the tissue that holds your teeth in place. In a typical case, gums start to recede from your teeth forming pockets below the gum links that trap even more food and bacteria, starting a snowballing effect of decay and infection. Left unchecked, periodontitis can spread rapidly. Immediate treatment can stop further damage and tooth loss but typically will not correct damage that has already taken place.
At this stage, bone and gum tissue is severely destroyed and infection is deeply entrenched. Your teeth become loose and may fall out or need to be removed. Left untreated, infections may spread throughout your mouth and to other parts of your body.Reality speaks loudly when it comes to periodontal disease. Take care of your teeth, or you may lose them through periodontal disease. If you have any inclination that gingivitis or periodontal disease is starting, do yourself a favor and call a dentist. Don’t wait! 612.861.7109