Gingivitis
When gum disease is in its early stages, it is called gingivitis. It is an inflammation of the gum tissue that surrounds and supports your teeth. It presents as reddish, swollen gums that tend to bleed easily. At this point, when treatment is sought, the condition is still reversible. With a professional cleaning at the dentist’s office and, of course, proper home oral hygiene can keep gingivitis at bay.
From Gingivitis to Periodontitis
What happens if you don’t treat gum disease?
When gingivitis advances without treatment, the disease can become chronic and develop into periodontitis. At this stage, gum pockets deepen and teeth begin to loosen or drift. Down the line, when there is no treatment intervention, progression can go slowly, or suddenly accelerates.
Due to the infection, bone weakens and becomes brittle and no longer able to hold the teeth in place. Teeth may be lost by either falling out or via the need of extraction. Loss of tissue and bone may occur in some areas of the mouth, or in the entire mouth. About 7.8% of those 47.2% adults have severe periodontitis. It is the number one cause of tooth loss.
Gum disease may not show you warning signs or you might even ignore those signs. That is why regular periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment options depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. Good dental care at home is essential to help keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring.
The best way to treat gum disease is prevention.
Proper oral hygiene at home and a healthy diet are a good start. Regular dental visits and professional cleaning cannot be ignored as very important, too.
SourceGum Health at Meadow Creek Dental
Every time you come for your regular cleaning at Meadow Creek Dental, we do not fail to check your gum health. The earlier the treatment, the better. That’s why you should visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
