Gum disease is a major health risk that can result in systemic problems. It is vital to seek gum treatment from our experienced periodontist before the problem escalates out of control. It only takes a matter of months to go from routine gingivitis to advanced periodontal disease.
1. Gingivitis
Gingivitis occurs when infectious bacteria gets into the gum tissue. The symptoms at this point are minimal and include mild halitosis and redness of the gums. Many people can treat this problem at home by starting to brush and floss every single day.
2. Slight Periodontal Disease
At this point, the infection starts to delve deeper into the gum tissue. The bacteria currently sit four or five millimeters beneath the surface of the gums. Scaling and root planing is a helpful treatment to eliminate those deep deposits of bacteria.
3. Moderate Periodontal Disease
The primary distinction between slight and moderate periodontal disease is that the bacteria now rest six to seven millimeters under the gums. Most people will begin to notice more extreme symptoms taking place, such as gum recession, excessive bleeding and shifting teeth. Bone loss may even begin to occur at this time.
4. Advanced Periodontal Disease
The pocket depth of the bacteria has now gotten extremely severe. A patient’s teeth will now be susceptible to becoming loose, and they may begin falling out. The only way to treat gum disease when it has gotten to this point is with laser gum surgery. When it has advanced to this point, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream, which can lead to several systemic health issues.
Contact Us When It Is Still Gingivitis
The moment you begin noticing the symptoms of mild gum disease, you need to contact the office of Dr. Curry Leavitt. He offers laser gum surgery in the event your case of periodontal disease has gotten too severe, which comes with less bleeding and a faster recovery period. Call us to schedule your appointment today.
