When you think about the stages of gum disease, you may imagine one condition with specific progressing symptoms. However, gum disease is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of diseases in the tissues surrounding your teeth.
If you are worried that you might have gum disease, you may have to check which stage you are at and seek professional help from a family dentist. The dentist will determine your stage of gum disease and prescribe a course of treatment accordingly.
Read on to understand the stages of receding gums. This article provides the information you need to understand gum disease at every stage.
What are Gum Diseases?
Before understanding the stages of gum disease, it is first important to know the basics of these ailments. Gum diseases are mostly of two types:
- Gingivitis
- Periodontitis
While gingivitis is mild, periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease. Gingivitis can be cured; however, if left untreated, it can transform into incurable periodontitis.
Periodontitis develops into four stages, including:
- Initial
- Moderate
- Severe with potential for tooth loss
- Severe with potential for significant tooth loss
What are the Stages of Periodontitis?
Periodontitis usually requires medical intervention. The periodontitis stages include the following:
Periodontitis Stage 1: Initial
If a patient’s gingivitis is not treated, it can progress to Stage 1 periodontitis. This usually occurs when the inflammation in the gum reaches deep inside your gum tissues. The stage is dangerous as it does not give itself away until it reaches a destructive stage. You may not feel any pain or other symptoms. You may, however, notice slight bleeding while brushing. This should be taken as an indication to visit a dentist.
Periodontitis can be managed at the initial stage with professional cleaning. The dentist will remove bacteria and calculus from the gum and roots of your teeth to improve the condition.
Periodontitis Stage 2: Moderate
When periodontitis is not treated at the initial stage, it progresses to Stage 2 or Moderate Periodontitis.
The main differentiating factor between the two stages is the amount of ligament or joint damage between the tooth root and its socket. In initial periodontitis, the damage is slight and undetectable, but it is more apparent in moderate periodontitis.
Periodontitis Stage 3: Severe with Potential for Tooth Loss
If periodontitis is still not managed at the second stage, it enters the severe stages of gum disease.
If you reach this stage, you are still unlikely to feel any pain in your gums. You may, however, notice persistent bad breath and bad taste in your mouth. You may also notice that your teeth look longer due to gum recession. In some people, the teeth may even become loose or move. In addition, you may notice a change in your biting pattern.
If you take heed of these symptoms at this stage, your dentist may still help in managing the condition with the help of periodontal surgery. Since Stage 3 is severe, the dentist may recommend replacing your teeth with dentures or dental implants. These implants, however, are never the first line of treatment. The dentist will attempt to save most teeth before deciding to replace them.
Periodontitis Stage 4: Severe with Potential Loss of All Teeth
By the fourth and final stage, patients will have missing teeth, and the ones that remain are likely to be loose.
There will also be a change in the bite as the gum or bone-supporting teeth may not be strong enough to support the bite force. At this stage, the dentist may consider removing all teeth and replacing them with dental implants. The only drawback with implants is that patients can still develop gum disease with them.
It is advisable to consult a specialist before taking any major step.
How Rapid is Periodontitis Progression?
When periodontitis advances through its four stages, it is categorized into three rates of progression. The timeline of progression depends on the treatment type and other medical conditions of the patient. The rates are as follows:
Grade A: Slowly Progressing
Grade B: Moderately Progressing
Grade C: Rapidly Progressing
Takeaway
If detected early, the various stages of gum disease can be treated and reversed. However, if patients have developed periodontitis, it may be harder to treat and may require management for the rest of your life.
Gum diseases are difficult to treat and detect as they do not present with symptoms. Hence, it is important to visit your dentist at regular intervals for check-ups and professional cleaning. If you notice bleeding while brushing or any other symptom, reach out to your dentist as soon as possible.
Consult Our Dentists at Valley Ridge Dental
At Valley Ridge Dental, we have an experienced team of dentists, periodontists, and oral surgeons who provide comprehensive dental treatment. Whether you wish to get checked or have a professional cleaning, we can help you with 360-degree dental solutions.
Schedule an appointment with us today!
You can contact us at (651) 439-0322.
Or you can also visit us at 12425 55th St N Suite B.
