According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), periodontitis continues to be one of America’s biggest oral health concerns. Approximately 47.2% of adults older than 30 years have some form of periodontal disease. Meanwhile, nearly half of adults are likely to be in one of the periodontitis stages.
The likelihood of developing it increases with age. Around 70% of adults aged 65 years old and older have the disease.
The staff at Rod W. Gore DDS’ dental practice, being highly experienced in adult oral health, are always on the lookout for indicators of periodontal disease during our appointments with adult patients. Many of them may not be aware that they are already presenting signs of the initial stages of periodontitis.
But gum disease can be cured if caught early enough. Dentists have various treatments available and can determine how to reverse gum disease once they diagnose which stage of periodontitis you have.
Defining Periodontitis or Periodontal Disease
Periodontitis is a severe gum infection. When microorganisms and bacteria start to adhere to the teeth’s surface and in the pockets where enamel meets gums, inflammation and infection occur. The immune system begins attacking the pathogens.
There are various stages of periodontitis, and it can worsen to the point that the gums bleed and the patient loses their teeth. You can also expect overall systemic issues. This includes not just damage to your teeth and gums but also bone loss.
Fortunately, it’s largely preventable and treatable. However, while good oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing are always a good place to start, periodontitis may be developing in hard-to-see and difficult-to-reach areas that a patient may be unaware of. This is due to periodontitis’s earliest stage, as it occurs without pain or discomfort that might otherwise alert a patient to the issue.
Stages of Periodontitis
Gingivitis
This is the earliest stage of gum disease, which typically affects the soft tissue found in the gums. This inflammation is generally indicated by some bleeding whenever you brush or floss your teeth. With time, the teeth also become discolored through plaque, a significant buildup of bacteria and debris.
There’s little to no discomfort at this stage, and only mild symptoms are experienced. These include bad breath, minor bleeding, and slight swelling around the gum area. You might also notice that gum pockets have deepened. It can be difficult to detect the presence of periodontitis at this stage fully, and it’s likely only a dentist would be able to identify it.
This is considered one of the most significant dangers of gingivitis: in its earliest stage, it’s a silent disease, and there are no obvious causes for concern. In reality, this is the most crucial stage when there are still many ways to reverse the condition.
Early Stage
The disease advances and becomes more evident at this stage. The infection begins to penetrate deeper into your gums, right to the bone in your jaw that supports the teeth themselves. During brushing or flossing, the gums start to bleed even with light pressure. Your bad breath may worsen at this point, despite brushing or gargling with mouthwash.
The pockets in the gums deepen to roughly 7mm, and they start to recede from your teeth. These pockets are full of harmful, accumulated bacteria. As your body tries to fight the infection, the gum tissues weaken, and you might experience bone loss.
Note that periodontitis might no longer be reversible at this stage, but it can be managed to prevent it from rapidly becoming more severe. This second stage is when the bone-destroying process begins as the bacteria has become aggressive enough to contribute to bone loss.
Moderate Stage
When it reaches the third stage, periodontitis is no longer reversible. While the symptoms remain similar to the first two, they are far more severe, and more bone loss occurs as the bacteria destroys more tissue. You’ll feel some pain and feel your teeth loosen as the gum pockets deepen further.
Furthermore, the infection will no longer be constrained to your teeth, gums, and jawbones. The aggressive infection will start spreading through the bloodstream, forcing your immune system to respond. This may result in a fever.
A dentist must perform scaling and root planing to prevent the disease from worsening during this stage. The latter is done by removing as much plaque, bacteria, and infected tissue as possible.
Advanced Periodontitis
Gums and bones are destroyed in this stage, with the immune system placed under a lot of stress as it tries to fight off the infection. The connective tissue that keeps your teeth in place on the bone weakens or breaks entirely, leaving any tissue supporting the teeth destroyed. You’ll start to lose your teeth at this stage.
Patients may also experience severe pain when putting pressure on their jaw while chewing and eating. The bad breath will also worsen severely, leading to an adverse taste in the mouth. Abscesses also develop in the teeth and gums. There is a 50%-90% chance of bone loss.
Dentists will need to perform periodontal surgery, and, depending on how advanced the disease is, you may need laser surgery as well. This will deep-clean the pockets of bacteria. The procedure is considered more of a way to control damage than a way to reverse the progression of the disease.
Left untreated, you’ll have gaps between your teeth and severe gum recession. You likely will not be a candidate for dental implants due to bone loss. Instead, you might need to be fitted with dentures to restore your ability to chew food. Additionally, you will need treatment for any health issues that may have been caused by the disease.
See a Dentist as Early as Possible
Unfortunately, periodontitis is reversible only in the earliest stages. Prevention, through proper oral care and regular visits to the dentist, is key to keeping this disease at bay.
If you suspect you may have periodontitis, see a dentist right away. The dentist will provide a thorough examination to determine if you have the condition. They will be able to provide a diagnosis even if you don’t notice anything unusual yet. . Also, they will determine the best course of action. If you end up not having periodontitis, they will recommend treatments to ensure the continued health of your teeth and gums.
The team at Rod W. Gore DDS’ dental practice is highly experienced in identifying and treating periodontitis. We aim to help our patients achieve optimal oral health through exceptional dental care. Get in touch with us today to book an appointment, or read about our services.