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The Four Stages of Periodontal Disease
Stop the progression of periodontal disease by recognizing the four stages. To maintain your oral health, schedule teeth cleanings, and check-ups twice a year, brush twice daily, and floss every day. Periodontal disease can easily be treated if detected early on.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first and only reversible stage of periodontal disease. It can be reversed by practicing good day-to-day oral hygiene. It’s caused by the build-up of plaque around the teeth.
Watch out for:
- Bad breath
- Red, swollen gums
- Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing
Slight Periodontal Disease
Slight periodontal disease is irreversible but manageable. In this stage, the bacterial infection has spread to the bone and begun to destroy the tooth.
Watch out for:
- Persistent bad breath
- Increasingly swollen or red gums, and bleeding
- Four to five millimeters of gum recession (or probing depths)
Moderate Periodontal Disease
At the third stage, probing depths will increase to six or seven millimeters. This recession means that additional bacteria can attack not only your teeth but your bloodstream and immune system as well. If moderate periodontal disease is untreated, it can lead to:
- Bone and Tooth Loss
- Gum sensitivity
- Increased bleeding
- Teeth shifting
Advanced Periodontal Disease
When the infection deepens further, and the bacteria evolves into disease-causing bacteria, a patient is in the final stage of periodontal disease. This stage can cause:
- Bone Loss.
- Red, swollen gums that ooze pus
- Sensitivity to cold/hot foods or drinks
- Loosened teeth
- Pain while eating
- Severe halitosis.
Common Signs of Periodontal Disease:
It’s been estimated that four out of five people have periodontal disease without even being aware. It is the leading cause of tooth loss and can potentially lead to more serious conditions like a stroke, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. If you notice any of the other following symptoms, contact us immediately.
Bleeding, red, or swollen gums
Even if you brush your teeth vigorously or use dental floss, your gums shouldn’t bleed, swell or deepen in colour.
Loose teeth or new space between teeth
Any changes to your permanent teeth are likely caused by bone loss or weak periodontal fibres
Bad breath
Bad breath is often caused by a build-up of bacteria in the mouth leading to problematic infections.
Pus around the teeth and gums
If you notice pus in your mouth, this is a sign that there is a periodontal infection present, and you need to seek treatment from a periodontal dentist as soon as possible.
Gum recession
If you notice a loss of your gums around a tooth, a bacterial infection has likely begun, see a periodontist as soon as possible to avoid progressive periodontal disease.
Tenderness or discomfort while chewing or swallowing
Plaque, calculus, and bacteria irritate the gums and teeth, making your gums tender and causing discomfort or pain in your mouth. This tenderness or discomfort could be a sign or symptom of many oral health issues, so contact Bond Street Dental for a dental evaluation at your earliest convenience. The sooner we can treat any dental disease, the better.
Periodontal Treatments
Periodontists perform various treatments to stop gum disease from spreading, replace missing teeth, and improve a patient’s smile that has been ravaged by periodontal disease.
Dental Implants
The periodontist at Bond Street Dental specializes in the precise placement of natural-looking dental implants.
Osteoplasty
Recontouring hard tissue to make the smile both natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing
Gingivoplasty
Removing tissues or straightening the gum line to make teeth look more even, for toothy smiles
Bone grafts
In some cases, the placement of dental implants will require bone grafting. If bone loss has occurred due to periodontal disease, bone grafting will help properly secure the implant in a patient’s jawbone.
Deep Pocket Cleanings
As gingivitis and periodontitis progress, it’s hard to clean pockets between soft tissues and teeth scale and root plane teeth (sometimes under local anesthetic) to remove debris/infection-causing bacteria
Crown Lengthening
To expose more of natural tooth remove some of surrounding gingival tissue
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Toronto Periodontist FAQs
What is a periodontist?
A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in gum disease and dental implants. They can diagnose, prevent, and treat gum disease.
What does a periodontist treat?
A periodontist treats conditions associated with gum disease including inflammatory diseases that affect the gums and teeth. They also diagnose and treat gum recession and bone loss.
What are some common procedures a periodontist does?
Common procedures include scaling and root planing, gum grafting, osseous surgery, and dental implants.
When should I see a periodontist?
You should see a periodontist for advanced gum disease. Symptoms are bleeding gums, swollen or tender gums, persistent bad breath, receding gums, or loose teeth. Your general dentist might also refer you if they detect signs of advanced gum disease.
What is the goal of periodontal treatment?
Periodontal treatment is to restore the health of your gums and the supporting bone and halt gum disease progression.
Can a periodontist help with gum recession?
Yes, a periodontist addresses gum recession and can perform procedures like deep cleanings and gum grafts.
Why should I go to a periodontist for dental implants?
A periodontist specializes in the placement of dental implants, which can increase chances of success.
Does periodontal treatment include aesthetic improvements?
It can. The priority is to restore gum and bone health but aesthetic improvements often are the result of improving oral health.