Stages of
Periodontal Disease
Gingivitis and gum disease are some of the most common dental issues. It can be embarrassing and hard to cope with. But by working with one of the best periodontists like Dr. Trujillo, it can be treatable.
With Dr. Trujillo’s expertise and proper dental care, you can get your healthy smile back! Below, we break down the different stages of Periodontal Disease and what symptoms they cause. If you have any of these symptoms or feel any discomfort currently with your gums, please give us a call so we can set up an appointment with Dr. Trujillo to help heal your gums.
Healthy Gums
In healthy gums, the tissues are pink, firm, and free of any redness which is a sign of inflammation. They rarely ever bleed while you brush or floss. Going in to visit Dr. Trujillo twice yearly for cleanings and normal check-ups is usually all that you need to maintain health.
Gingivitis Signs
This is the mildest form of periodontal disease. Your gums start to become red and swollen and bleed easily when you brush them. Most of the time there’s little to no discomfort. The most common cause is often inadequate home care and/or lack of professional cleanings. It is also the most common type of periodontal disease. Gingivitis is reversible with professional cleanings and good home care habits.
Mild Periodontitis
Gingivitis that is left untreated can advance to periodontitis. Over time, plaque can spread and grow below your natural gum line. Toxins are produced by the bacteria in plaque and begin to irritate your gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response where your body in essence turns on itself. The tissues and bones that support the teeth start to break down and become destroyed. Your gums separate from your teeth and form pockets (space between your teeth and gums) that become infected. Symptoms may still be mild at this stage. The way to fix this may require a non-surgical treatment called scaling and root planing (deep cleanings).
Moderate Periodontitis
As the disease progresses, the pockets that were created from mild periodontitis deepen, and more of your gum tissue and bone are destroyed. The symptoms are still pretty mild but may begin to include receding gum lines and it’s a lot easier for food to get stuck between teeth. Eventually, teeth often become loose and can fall out or may need removal by Dr. Trujillo. Treatment at this stage still begins with scaling and root planing but could require more advanced procedures to bring it under control.
Severe Periodontitis
This stage is characterized by a lot deeper pockets, gum recession, loose teeth, and more common tooth loss. Treatment usually requires advanced procedures by Dr. Trujillo to control its progression and restore the lost tissues. Unfortunately, the only proper and best treatment is to have the affected tooth removed.
Request an Appointment
If you feel that you have any of these symptoms, please contact us to schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Trujillo. Most who have these symptoms are in the milder stages of periodontal disease and don’t require major treatments. Keep in mind though, that if it is left untreated it can become much more severe and expensive. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
Gum Disease Treatment in Phoenix, AZ
1717 W. Northern Ave., Suite 104, Phoenix, AZ 85021
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