If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, it is important that you understand the stages of gum disease so that you will know what your next steps are. If you continue to care for your teeth and gums carefully, your teeth and gums can last throughout your lifetime. Here are the three stages of gum disease.
Stage One- Gingivitis
Stage One of gum disease is called gingivitis. When you have gingivitis, your gums have a mild infection. Bacteria in your mouth cause all gum disease, and like some infections, can be controlled with good hygiene. Gingivitis can actually be cured if you brush and floss properly and visit the dentist twice a year.
There are some warning signs of gingivitis you need to be aware of. One of the most telling signs you have gingivitis is that your gums bleed when you brush and floss. If you look at your gums, they may look puffy, discolored, or red.
Stages Two and Three of Periodontitis
If you have either Stage Two or Three of gum disease, it is called periodontitis. In periodontitis, your gums begin to separate from your teeth. Spaces actually develop between your teeth and gums. Bacteria and food particles can fill these spaces and make the infection worse.
Like gingivitis, there are warning signs for periodontitis. You may notice you have bad breath, no matter how well you brush and floss. You might also see that your teeth look larger or longer because your gums have receded.
Unlike Stage One of the disease, if you have periodontitis, the disease can’t be cured. However, dentists can control the infection through deep cleaning of your teeth and gums, which is also called scaling. Scaling removes plaque and tartar from your gums both above and below the gumline. If you practice good oral hygiene, and you visit a dentist once a quarter, you should be able to have your teeth and gums remain as healthy as possible.
