The Stages of Gum Disease and How Treatment Can Help: A Guide from Grants Professionals

Introduction

Our gums are the silent guardians of our smile, and they do a lot more than just hold our teeth in place. However, when a gum disease sneaks in, the silent guardian becomes a silent threat. 

Nearly 3.7 billion people suffer from oral health issues, with gum disease being among the most prevalent. In the US, around 42% of adults over the age of 30 show signs of periodontitis, and 8% of them face a severe form of periodontitis.

But the good news is that in the early stages, it is reversible, and proper treatment can halt its progression. At Sundance, we, along with our professionals, have crafted this guide to help you understand the causes, signs, and treatment. 

This blog takes a closer look at the different signs of gum disease and its treatment. Let’s get started. 

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also referred to as periodontal disease, refers to infections and inflammation in and around your gums, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. The most common source of periodontal disease is plaque. 

Plaque can be defined as a sticky film containing harmful bacteria that accumulates over the teeth as a result of poor oral hygiene, and it eventually hardens to form tartar. The bacteria present in the plaque cause irritation and inflammation in the gums, resulting in the breakdown of the tissues and eventually leading to the loss of the tooth. Read more for 10 tips for maintaining healthy gums.

Causes and Risk Factors 

Gum disease doesn’t arise overnight. It develops gradually over time under the influence of your lifestyle, health conditions, and other biological factors. So you must understand the root causes so that you can take the necessary preventive measures.

Poor Oral Hygiene 

This is a common cause underlying every dental problem. When you neglect daily brushing and flossing, it often leads to the accumulation of plaque, as we mentioned before.

Smoking or Use of Tobacco

Smoking cigarettes or cigars, or chewing tobacco, and even vaping can negatively affect gum health. Tobacco reduces the blood flow to the gums, resulting in a suppressed immune response. This masks the early signs of gum disease, such as bleeding, and also increases tartar buildup. 

Chronic Diseases

Chronic diseases that affect your immune or vascular systems are linked with gum inflammation. 

High blood sugar levels cause diabetes, promoting bacterial growth and contributing to cardiovascular disease. This, in turn, often leads to poor blood circulation in the body, affecting the healing process and the resilience of gum tissue. 

Age and Gender

Gum disease becomes prominent with increasing age, and studies have revealed that men are more likely to be affected than women. 

With increasing age, the body’s healing process becomes slower, and it is also associated with cumulative exposure to risk factors such as plaque and tartar. 

60% of adults aged over 65 have gum disease, and 50% of men are affected in comparison to 35% women. 

Genetics

Genetics plays a key role in our dental makeup and also the patterns of disease that we might contract. This is because your genetic factors influence how your immune system responds to harmful bacteria. 

Medications

Certain drugs can affect your saliva production and gum health. Saliva naturally washes away food and neutralizes acids. Medicines like antihistamines, antidepressants, and diuretics reduce saliva flow in your mouth, which causes your mouth to dry out and harbour bacteria. Additionally, calcium channel blockers, antiepileptics, and immunosuppressants can also cause gum overgrowth. 

Poor Nutrition

Diet also plays a crucial role in protecting your teeth from various diseases. A diet lacking essential nutrients eventually weakens the gum tissue and compromises immune function. A lack of vitamins, particularly Vitamin C and Vitamin D, impairs healing and gum integrity, leading to bleeding and swollen gums. 

Stages of Gum Disease

Gum disease progresses through distinct stages, and understanding each one will enable you to take prompt action. 

Stage 1: Gingivitis

The characteristic symptoms include swollen and red gums that bleed easily, with plaque remaining above the gum line. It is treatable and can be reversed with improved hygiene and professional cleaning. 

Stage 2: Early Periodontitis

When the plaque starts to harden into tartar, the bacteria begin to penetrate below your gum line, creating pockets of approximately 4 to 6 mm. Their damaging effect causes minor bone loss around your teeth. 

The noticeable symptoms are receding gums, pockets formed, and the occasional appearance of pus. The treatment process includes deep cleanings, scaling, root planing, along with better oral hygiene maintenance. 

Step 3: Moderate Periodontitis

At this stage, the pockets deepen to 6-8mm, resulting in increased bone loss. 

The noticeable symptoms include gum recession, increased sensitivity, and mobile teeth. 

The treatment process involves root planing, antimicrobial therapy, and, in some cases, flap surgery to remove tartar under the gumline. 

Stage 4: Advanced Periodontitis

When the pocket depth exceeds 8 mm and the bone loss and gum recession are extensive, it is considered an advanced stage of gum disease.

Symptoms include loose teeth, abscesses, and tooth loss. The treatment procedures involve pocket reduction surgery, guided tissue or bone regeneration, gum grafting, and sometimes extractions.  

Symptoms To Look For To Identify Gum Disease

• Swollen red gums
• Gums that are bleeding when you are brushing or flossing
• Receding gums 
• Loose or shifting teeth
• Persistent bad breath or halitosis 
• Changes in the alignment of your teeth and facing bite issues. 

Types of Treatment

The effective Gum Disease treatment in Grants, NM options are of two types – nonsurgical and surgical. Let’s talk more about them.

Non-surgical treatments 

These involve treatments like scaling and root planning, antimicrobial therapy, and LANAP. Scaling and root planing remove plaque or tartar from your roots and smoothens the surface to encourage gum reattachment. 

Antimicrobial treatment, on the other hand, involves antibiotic rinses to prevent any further bacterial growth. Lastly, LANAP, or Laser-assisted New Attachment Procedure, uses a laser to eliminate bacteria and regenerate tissue.

At Sundance, we utilize modern medicated gels and microspheres that are placed directly into the gum pockets for targeted relief. 

Surgical Treatments 

These procedures involve invasive techniques such as pocket reduction surgery, bone regeneration surgery, gum grafts, flap surgery, and others. Pocket reduction surgery, as the name suggests, is done to reduce the pockets by opening the gums to clean the deep areas. 

This might also involve bone grafting. Bone regeneration surgery utilizes membranes to guide the growth of new tissue in damaged areas. Flap surgery, on the other hand, provides better access for cleaning and reshaping bone.

Surgical treatment is not as scary as it sounds when you are in our expert’s care. Our experienced team and dentist in Grants, NM, will ensure your comfort and clarity at every step. 

Takeaway

• Gum disease is common, but it is not inevitable. 
• The sooner you recognize the symptoms and take action, the easier and more affordable it becomes to treat. 
• Whether you are in the earliest stage of gingivitis or facing the challenges of periodontitis, our experts at Sundance Dental Grants can help. Book your visit today!