Symptoms of Gum DiseaseGum Disease Treatments provided by Dr. Marcus Blue in Basalt, CO at Blue Periodontics  While gum disease is easily preventable by practicing daily oral hygiene, it is still a common problem that affects millions of Americans each year. Gum disease can lead to irritation, inflammation, pain, and even tooth removal. If you recognize gum disease in its early stages, you can act to prevent it from advancing before it causes any serious damage. Being aware of the symptoms of gum disease can help you recognize it sooner rather than later.At Blue Periodontics, our team of dental health professionals has experience treating gum disease in all of its stages. If the gum disease is left undiagnosed for long enough, then you will not be able to treat it on your own. Only an experienced dentist can properly remove the substances causing the disease. In this article, we will be discussing the symptoms of gum disease, or periodontitis, in all of its stages so you can recognize its presence before it is too late. GingivitisMost people have heard of gingivitis, and it is the first stage of periodontitis. Gingivitis is caused by plaque buildups that are left by bacteria in the mouth. If enough plaque is built up, then it will harden to form a substance called tartar. This tartar can exist in the gumline and is difficult to remove by brushing alone. If the plaque has not yet hardened into tartar, then you are still in the first stage of periodontitis. In this stage, you will experience red and swollen gums hat are prone to bleeding when being brushed. Luckily, because the plaque has not been hardened into tartar, gingivitis is reversible. Call our office to receive a recommended treatment plan to prevent the disease from worsening. Many of these treatment options can be done at home, but this may vary depending on the severity of the gingivitis. Early PeriodontitisThe second stage of gum disease is early (or slight) periodontitis. Unlike gingivitis, early periodontitis is not reversible, but it is treatable. At this stage, the bacteria start to harm the bones supporting the teeth. Symptoms will not be immediately noticeable but will include the symptoms of gingivitis, only at a more severe level. In early periodontitis, you should begin to seek dental treatment from our team because you will not be able to treat this at home. Moderate PeriodontitisModerate periodontitis occurs when the bacteria in the gums start to reach a depth of six or seven millimeters into your mouth. While in early periodontitis the bacteria will start to infect the bones, in the moderate stage the bacteria will begin to enter the bloodstream and can affect the immune system. In this stage, you will experience more severe gum sensitivity, an increase in bleeding, and the loosening of teeth. Advanced PeriodontitisThe final stage of gum disease is advanced periodontitis. In this stage, the bacteria will have infected an even deeper portion of your gums, and you are at a much higher risk for bone loss. In advanced periodontitis, you will experience drastically swollen gums that may excrete pus, extreme tooth sensitivity, and eventually tooth loss. You will need serious medical intervention to treat this stage of gum disease. Gum disease can wreak havoc on your oral health and should be treated as soon as possible. By recognizing the symptoms early on, you can take the steps necessary to prevent the progression of gum disease. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call Blue Periodontics at (970) 678-3473 to schedule an appointment today. |
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