Periodontitis is an extreme case of gum disease. Long-term bacterial infection can cause it to your gums. If you are not consistent and careful in your oral care, you are at a greater risk of periodontitis. This disease is one of the two biggest reasons for tooth loss in the USA, the other being tooth decay. It is more common in adults above the age of 30. Around 47% of adults go through some stages of periodontitis.
Smoking, eating a lot of junk food, and overeating sugar are the most common cause of periodontitis. People who smoke regularly are at a greater risk of up to 64%. People 65 or older have a higher risk of up to 70%. Poor living conditions, female hormonal changes, or just plain ignorance can also cause the condition to develop. Early detection is the key to proper care and cure. Some less common factors are stress, heredity, crooked teeth, nutrition deficiency, and diabetes.
Stages Of Periodontitis Disease
It all starts with Gingivitis. This disease causes the gingiva (the area of your gums surrounding the root of your tooth) to swell up, irritated, and inflamed. You can fix this easily treatable problem with good oral habits. Brushing 2 times a day, flossing daily, and regular dental appointments can help prevent the problem from escalating. For early detection and treatment of dental emergencies, contact us right away. If you didn’t take the necessary precautions, you could suffer from the following periodontitis disease stages.
Stage 1: Initial
If your Gingivitis is left untreated, it will escalate to periodontitis disease stage 1. In this stage, inflammation will become in the periodontal ligament. This is the ligament that attaches your teeth roots to the socket. This stage is difficult to detect because the symptoms are very similar to Gingivitis. If your gum disease has reached this stage, it can not reverse, but you won’t feel any pain. You can manage and stop this stage from progressing with healthy oral habits.
Stage 2: Moderate
The damage is slight and hard to detect in the initial periodontitis stage. While in the moderate stage, it is more visible. Unfortunately, the damage is permanent, but you will still feel no pain. If your dental team detects and treats the disease well, its progression will stop.
Stage 3: Sever
This is the stage where you still are unlikely to feel any pain, but your conditions will be evident, though. How your teeth fit into bites will change, teeth will look longer because your gums have receded, and teeth will feel loose. You will have bad breath and taste. Sometimes your gums could get swollen with pus, and that will hurt. You may need periodontal surgery to stop your conditions from escalating any further. It may be too late to save all of your teeth, so mentally prepare yourself to get dental implants.
Stage 4: Extreme
You would have lost some teeth at this stage, and the remaining will be loose. This is because of the lack of gum tissue to support your teeth. If you still don’t get proper treatment at this stage, you risk getting other severe diseases like diabetes or heart problems.
Conclusion
Periodontitis stages can escalate over time, but an earlier direction can lead to complete recovery. Good oral care and dietary habits will help prevent the disease. If you want to know more about this problem or want our specialist to examine your condition, contact the Spring Branch Dental Group on the following number (832-548-1533).