What Are the Stages of Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a common condition that affects the tissues around your teeth and can lead to tooth loss if untreated. In this guide, we’ll break down the stages of periodontal disease and share tips to help you keep your smile healthy.
What Is Periodontal Disease, and What Causes It?
Periodontal disease is a gum infection that affects the tissues supporting your teeth. It usually starts with plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, plaque can harden into tartar, eventually leading to gingivitis — the first stage of gum disease.
Other factors that can increase your risk of periodontal disease include poor oral hygiene, smoking or tobacco use, certain medical conditions like diabetes, genetics, and hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy.
Periodontal Disease Stages
Stage 1: Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease and is characterized by inflammation of the gums. You might notice your gums are red, swollen, and bleed when you brush or floss your teeth. Bad breath is another common sign.
The good news is that gingivitis can be reversed with good oral hygiene habits. If left untreated, it can lead to more advanced gum disease.
Stage 2: Early Periodontitis
In the early periodontitis stage, the infection spreads from the gums to the bone and tissues that support your teeth. Early warning signs may include:
- Constant bad breath
- Bleeding gums
- Red or swollen gums
- Gums are starting to recede
- Sensitive teeth
- Loose teeth
- Periodontal pockets forming
At this point, you’ll need professional dental treatment, such as scaling and root planing, to clean out the plaque and tartar and prevent further damage.
Stage 3: Moderate Periodontitis
The next stage, moderate periodontitis, is often characterized by noticeable bone loss and gum recession. You might experience:
- Deep pockets in your gums
- Swollen and red gums
- Teeth migration or shifting
- Gum abscesses
- Chronic bad breath
- Changes in how your teeth fit together when you bite
- Pain or discomfort while chewing
Treating moderate periodontitis involves deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), antibiotics, and sometimes even surgery to deal with the more severe damage.
Stage 4: Advanced Periodontitis
Advanced periodontitis is the most severe stage of gum disease. The most noticeable signs are major bone loss and loose teeth, though you may also have intense pain, pus discharge, painful abscesses, and bleeding gums.
Extensive treatment, such as gum grafts, bone grafts, or even tooth extraction, might be needed to prevent the disease from getting worse and save the remaining teeth and supporting structures.
Stage 5: Tooth Loss
If you don’t treat periodontal disease, it can eventually cause tooth loss. At this stage, the bone and supporting structures are completely destroyed, which leads to loose, unstable, or missing teeth. Losing your teeth can affect how you eat and look, so it’s important to get professional dental care as soon as you notice signs of gum disease.
Gum Disease FAQs
How Common Is Periodontal Disease?
Gum disease is a pretty common oral health issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), almost half of Americans aged 30 and up have some level of the disease, and 7.8% have severe periodontitis.
How Fast Does Periodontal Disease Progress?
It varies from person to person and can depend on oral hygiene, overall health, and genetics. Typically, gingivitis can turn into early periodontitis in a few months if untreated, and the earliest stages of periodontitis can become more advanced in a year or two.
Can Gum Disease Be Cured?
Periodontal disease can be managed and stopped from worsening, but the condition can’t be fully cured. With the right treatment, you can control the symptoms and prevent further damage. However, any harm to the gums and bone that’s already happened can’t be completely undone.
Can Gum Tissue Grow Back?
Unfortunately, gum tissue lost from periodontal disease won’t grow back on its own. If there’s been a lot of gum recession, a gum grafting procedure is usually the best way to restore the lost tissue and cover the exposed tooth roots.
Contact Our Point Pleasant Dentist Today!
Contact us today if you’re worried about your gums or have noticed signs of periodontal disease. Our Point Pleasant dentist, Dr. Zicchino, offers personalized care to keep your smile healthy and beautiful. Call 732-714-1030 to schedule an appointment!
About the Author
Dr. Joseph Zicchino provides a wide array of cosmetic dentistry services, including Invisalign® Clear Aligners, at his practice in Point Pleasant, NJ. He earned his dental degree from NYU Dental School and established Coastal Dental Group in 2004. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (732) 714-1030!