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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that nearly half of all US adults over 30 have some form of gum disease. But despite its prevalence, this condition has serious consequences. Without treatment, gum disease causes permanent damage to your gums and jawbone. But if caught early enough, you can actually reverse the effects of gum disease! If you think you may be dealing with this inflammatory condition, visit us in Sonora, CA, today to get your oral health back on track!
What Are the Stages of Gum Disease?
Gum disease starts very mild, but the symptoms and outcome get progressively worse over time. That is why it’s so important to seek treatment early.
The inflammatory condition works in stages.
| Stages | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Gingivitis | The earliest stage of gum disease. Many patients may not even realize they’re dealing with gingivitis without help from a dentist, as the symptoms are difficult to notice. If you’re experiencing red or puffy gums that bleed when you brush your teeth, you may have gingivitis. In most cases, the early form of gum disease is reversible with proper at-home care and professional cleanings. |
| Mild Periodontitis | Without treatment, gingivitis progresses to mild periodontitis. This condition is more noticeable, as you begin to experience receding gums that expose the roots of your teeth. As bacteria spreads below your gums, it creates pockets called dental abscesses, hiding bacteria from the reach of floss or toothbrushes. |
| Moderate Periodontitis | Once your gum disease reaches the moderate periodontitis phase, bacteria will begin eroding the bone and ligaments that secure your teeth. You may notice bad breath or pus, and experience pain. |
| Advanced Periodontitis | Finally, in the last stage of gum disease, you will lose bone structure, causing your teeth to loosen. Patients with advanced periodontitis find it difficult to chew, and will eventually lose their teeth without intervention. |
Can You Reverse Gum Disease?
The effects of gum disease are disastrous, but only without intervention. If caught early enough, we can reverse gum disease.
Gingivitis affects your gum tissue, causing minor issues that can be difficult to detect. By attending routine dental visits, you increase your chances of discovering any issues early on!
A dentist knows the signs to look for and keeps a record of your oral health. When you attend a routine visit, we’re able to see any changes in your gums or teeth that you may not notice at home.
And once we determine what your needs are, we help remove signs of infection and keep your smile healthier and happier!
How Do We Help Reverse Gum Disease?
Your best defense against gum disease is prevention. This includes both daily brushing and flossing, as well as routine dental visits every 6 months. And, for some patients, we may even ask to see them every 3 months if they’re genetically predisposed to gum disease.
When we notice signs of gum disease, we use a variety of procedures to help reverse it. Professional cleanings, of course, are the first step. With our dental tools and expertise, we can reach areas you can’t reach at home, helping protect your oral health.
Additionally, at our office in Sonora, CA, we use state-of-the-art laser dentistry. Laser dentistry uses focused and precise beams of light energy to perform dental care. By implementing laser therapy in our office, we help reduce bacteria and inflammation without invasive procedures. Laser dentistry simply targets the affected area to remove signs of infection while allowing for faster healing and less discomfort.
When a patient is exhibiting early signs of gum disease, we’ll likely use laser dentistry to help reverse the effects.
Keep Your Gums Healthy at Sonora Dentist!
Gum disease is common, but it still needs to be taken seriously. The longer you go without treatment, the more likely you are to experience permanent damage that we can’t undo. If you think you’re seeing signs of gum disease, contact us as soon as possible! We will help you reverse gum disease if possible, or help remove and manage the infection if not.
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