You’ve seen it before and thought nothing of it. The blood pooling around your teeth is something you just simply wash away; however, after weeks of brushing, you’re starting to notice that it’s not going away. Surely, it’s nothing serious, right? What you may think is nothing may be gum disease, and depending on the stage it’s in, you could be looking at extensive dental work to fix it. Find out what your dentist in West Bloomfield has to say about the stages of gum disease and how to prevent it in the first place.
What Are the Different Stages of Gum Disease?
Gum disease, otherwise known as periodontal disease, is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. Many Americans will develop gum disease at some point in their lives. Dealing with the problem in its early stages can reverse it! So, how does it develop? When bacteria and plaque build, it can weaken and damage your gums and other oral tissues. Once the infection grows below the gum line, you may develop pockets that can cause the gum tissue to pull away from your teeth. When this happens, you may experience bleeding gums, bad breath, or even bone loss.
Now that we’ve discussed how this nasty infection develops, let’s talk about the two different stages of gum disease.
Gingivitis
Considered the first stage, some patients may not notice any symptoms or experience only mild signs, such as red, puffy gums and bleeding after brushing and/or flossing. Luckily, during the stage, the problem can be reversed with frequent cleanings by your dentist and good oral habits practiced at home.
Periodontitis
As the second stage of gum disease, your jawbone and gum tissues may become irreversibly damaged. Once pockets form below your gum line, you can expect food and plaque to become trapped. Depending on the severity of the periodontitis, your dentist will determine the proper treatment solution by referring you to an in-house periodontist who may perform a scaling and root planing treatment to remove any plaque and bacteria. Should it advance into the final stage (advanced periodontitis), you could experience bone loss that results in loosening teeth. Your bite will be affected, and if aggressive treatment doesn’t save your teeth, your dentist may need to remove them.
How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?
If the explanations above are enough to make you want to go grab your toothbrush and floss and get to work, that’s good! It’s always beneficial to know how you can preventative measures when dealing with gum disease in West Bloomfield. Below are a few ways you can keep your gums healthy.
- Brush and floss regularly. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes and floss at least once a day.
- Rinse. Use an antiseptic mouthwash to wash away any food particles or bacteria.
- Stop smoking. This bad habit not only hurts your overall health, but it can significantly damage your teeth and gums over time.
- Limit your sugar. Opting for more nutrient-rich foods will help keep your mouth healthy, whereas, too much sugar and carbohydrates can increase the amount of bacteria.
- Visit your dentist. Don’t forget to attend your regularly scheduled dental visits to ensure there are no issues developing.
Give your gums the treatment they deserve! Practicing good oral habits will not only improve the health of your teeth but your gums as well!
About the Practice
At Lakeview Family Dental, you can rest easy knowing your teeth and gums are in good hands. When gum disease develops, our team of dental experts will be available to examine and address the situation according to your needs. Offering the latest dental technologies, we can provide our patients with effective dental care. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us via our website or call (248) 363-3304.