The Stages of Gum Disease in 2023

Gum disease is one of dentistry’s most common and problematic oral problems. Unfortunately, the disease continues to damage people’s mouths for many years despite the evolutions of modern dentistry. The primary reason is that gum disease can progress and advance to create many other oral problems, usually after neglecting treatment for a long.

What Is Gum Disease?

It is a bacterial infection that affects the periodontium of the oral cavity. It features the gums and the jawbone. Gum disease typically begins due to bacterial overgrowth in the mouth. Usually, the mouth harbors bacteria. If the conditions are fit, bacteria can overgrow and cause infections in the mouth.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Our Best Dentists in Meadowvale, Mississauga, at Forest Park Dental Arts have found many factors to contribute to gum disease. The primary cause is poor oral hygiene. If you leave food residues in your mouth long enough, they mix with saliva and bacteria to form plaque that sticks on the teeth’ surface. Plaque creates a conducive environment for bacteria and acids to start damaging the soft and hard tissues in the mouth. Other factors that can lead to gum disease are:

• Smoking
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Hormonal fluctuations – as is evident during pregnancy
• Genetics and family history
• Underlying health complications like diabetes

Is Gum Disease a Severe Oral Problem?

During the initial stages of infections, it may not seem like gum disease is a severe problem. However, if you allow the bacterial infection to grow without treatment, you breed a severe oral problem. The goal is to seek gum therapy in Mississauga, ON, during the early stages of the infection before it advances to cause permanent dental problems.

Stages of Gum Disease

Gum disease occurs in two main stages:

Gingivitis –

This is the initial stage of the infection. Usually, the symptoms of gingivitis are not too obvious or noticeable unless you are looking for them. Therefore, many patients end up not seeking therapy for gum disease at this stage, allowing the disease to advance and progress.

Periodontitis –

This is the advanced stage of gum disease. The symptoms of periodontitis are hard to miss. In fact, the further you go without treatment, the more severe the symptoms become. Unfortunately, too many patients begin to seek gum disease therapy in nearby areas when it is already too late. Although there may be treatments to salvage the remaining healthy tissues, you may need excessive restorative dental care that is otherwise avoidable.

What Happens When Gum Disease Advances?

The initial symptoms of gum disease are usually negligible. You may notice red streaks in your saliva or toothbrush when you brush your teeth or experience some soreness and tenderness in the infected area. However, when the disease progresses, you will start experiencing the following symptoms:

1. Bleeding gums – are usually noticeable when you brush your teeth or eat hard foods. A great example is bleeding after biting an apple.
2. Receded gums – when the gums are infected, they start pulling away from teeth. The recession will leave your teeth looking longer than they typically are.
3. Exposed tooth roots – when the gums pull away, they expose the tooth roots, heightening the risks of tooth decay and dental cavities.
4. Gingival embrasures – are small black triangles visible at the base of your teeth near the gum line. They appear when the gums start receding.
5. Wobbly teeth – the gums play a significant role in stabilizing teeth. When they start receding due to the infection, your teeth will no longer be as strong or stable as they were before.
6. Premature tooth loss – many patients have lost their natural teeth due to periodontitis. It weakens the support framework enough that teeth can start falling off. In some cases, the dentist may recommend tooth extraction because of the condition of your jaw and gums.

Conclusion

Your gum health is crucial for excellent dental health. If you want to maintain your natural teeth for a long time, start investing in good oral health measures that cater to your gums as much as your teeth.