Preventing periodontal diseases will always be easier and more affordable than trying to slow or reverse the process. But if you do need treatment, it will depend on which of the stages of periodontitis you find yourself in. Whatever stage you are at, the best decision you can make is to call your local periodontist and start on a treatment plan to restore your oral health.

Stages of Periodontitis

Also called gum disease, periodontitis can eventually lead to tooth loss and lasting oral health issues. Your risk is determined by the stage you are at. Early stages can be reversed readily. However, later stages may require more involved treatment.

Gingivitis

Think of this as a precursor stage to actual gum disease. Gingivitis occurs when a notable amount of plaque begins to build up on the teeth. This plaque is a product of bacteria, produced when the teeth are not cleared of food debris. When present, it can activate the body’s immune response, leading to mild gum inflammation. Clearing away this plaque at a dental visit is typically enough to stop the disease from progressing.

Stage 1: Initial

Stage 1 starts when the gum inflammation begins to damage your teeth. Any state of prolonged inflammation can be destructive. In gum disease, the inflammation wears away at the fibers connecting the tooth to the socket. This damage already cannot be reversed, but careful management can slow the progression from causing additional damage.

If you notice bleeding when brushing or flossing, you may already be at this stage. Otherwise, it may look similar to gingivitis, as pain typically is not yet present.

Stage 2: Moderate

Untreated Stage 1 almost always continues to progress until you reach Stage 2. The ligaments connecting the root of the tooth become increasingly and permanently damaged. Bleeding will likely be more noticeable, though pain may still be absent.

Stage 3: Severe

The severe stages are where patients begin to truly have oral health issues. If you have reached Stage 3, you are at risk for tooth loss. The connecting fibers of some teeth may be entirely destroyed or weakened to the point of breaking. When this happens, the tooth has no foothold in the gums and can fall out (often when biting or chewing).

Soreness while chewing remains a hallmark of this stage. But you may also notice swelling, abscesses, discoloration, and notable looseness to your teeth.

While your periodontist may save some teeth, others may be beyond repair. All is not necessarily lost. If you treat your gum disease, you may replace lost teeth with dental implants.

Stage 4: More Severe

Disease progressed to Stage 4 puts all your teeth at risk. Many patients at this stage may lose all their natural teeth. Even so, a skilled periodontist may help you stop the disease from progressing and save some teeth.

Beyond tooth loss, severe gum disease threatens your overall health. Studies have shown substantial links between periodontitis and significant health problems. Most notably, gum disease puts patients at increased risk for diabetes and heart disease (including heart attacks).

Of all the stages of periodontitis, this is the one where action must happen. Even if you have lost multiple teeth, do not give up. Seeking treatment can provide you with a path back toward improved health.

How Quickly Do the Stages of Periodontitis Progress?

Disease progression is tied to several factors. Unfortunately, genetics can play a role, making some individuals more vulnerable to the condition than others. However, you can take a leading role in other factors.

Diet

Your oral health has direct ties to what you eat. The bacteria in your mouth love nothing more than sugar-rich diets. Cutting out or limiting sugar in your diet can work wonders for your health overall. Additionally, it gives the bacteria less food. Less active bacteria means less plaque buildup.

Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is about more than brushing your teeth before bed. The bacteria in your mouth are always ready to be active. So the less opportunity you give them, the better. Brushing at least twice a day (ideally soon after meals) clears out food debris before bacteria can consume it themselves.

Also, floss at least once a day (after your last meal). You may be surprised at how much food can hide in between your teeth.

Lastly, routine dental visits set a foundation for oral health. Professional dental cleaning can remove plaque and buildup that brushing alone cannot clear out.

Start Treatment Today

LA Wilshire Periodontics is the home of premium, patient-centered periodontal treatments in Los Angeles. Call our office to begin restoring your oral well-being today.