Did you know gum disease has two stages? Well, it’s true. They are called gingivitis and periodontitis. Today, our Ladera Dentistry dental team would like to teach you about these two stages so you can better understand the disease. So, we have happily provided the following information for you:
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease that is also the mildest stage. It begins when you fail to remove the plaque from the surfaces of your teeth with regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing as well as regular visits to your dental office. The plaque irritates your gums and makes them red and swollen. It even makes them bleed easily when you brush and floss and also causes consistent bad breath. The best way to reverse this disease is to receive a professional dental cleaning and make improvements to your daily oral hygiene routine.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is the advanced form of gum disease that occurs when gingivitis is untreated. As time goes by, the plaque turns into tartar, which is also known as calculus. The tartar spreads and grows below the gumline. Then, the toxins in the bacterial substance stimulate a chronic inflammatory response that promotes the destruction of the underlying bone and tissues. During this stage, the gums also move away from the teeth and create pockets that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets excavate and more gum tissue and bones are destroyed. The best ways to treat this stage of the disease are to undergo laser periodontal therapy, receive scaling and root planing treatments, and take antibiotics.
As you can see, gum disease is a serious and dangerous dental issue that can attack and destroy your oral health and smile if you let it. This is why you need to do all you can to prevent it. To learn how to prevent it, please call our office at 949-347-7083 and talk to Dr. Mai X. Ly or a member of our dental team. The sooner you call us, the sooner you’ll be able to save your smile. We look forward to helping you!