Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a disease of the mouth that causes inflammation and infection of the gums and bone surrounding your teeth. Periodontitis, which starts as gingivitis, is caused by bacterial growth. It begins mildly with gum redness, swelling, and sometimes bleeding, but as it progresses, it can cause bone loss around your teeth. It is essential for patients experiencing periodontal disease to see their dentist for cleaning 3 to 4 times per year. On top of these visits, patients will likely need special periodontal deep-cleaning treatments as well.

Regular visits to your dentist at Burnaby Heights Dental are essential. Early detection and treatment are vital in stopping oral health issues like periodontitis before they get worse.

Stages of Periodontitis: From Gum Disease to Advanced Periodontal Disease

Most people have only heard of gingivitis, but there are four stages of periodontitis:

Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums is the first stage of periodontitis. Often at this point, a patient’s gums will bleed when brushing or cleaning between their teeth. Bacteria build-up is the culprit; however, good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups can help keep the bacteria in your mouth in a healthy range, preventing gum disease.
Early Periodontal Disease: At this stage, a patient’s gums begin to pull away from their teeth, and small pockets form between the teeth and gums. Harmful bacteria hide in these pockets and cause infection. There will most-likely be bleeding of the gums at this point, and some patients experience some bone loss.
Moderate Periodontal Disease: If periodontitis is not dealt with in the early stages, patients will likely experience bleeding, and the teeth may lose bone support and begin to loosen. A full-body inflammatory response may also result.
Advanced Periodontal Disease: Once the disease is advanced, the connective tissue holding the patient’s teeth in place will begin to deteriorate. Destruction of gums, tissue, and bones supporting the teeth also occurs. At this point, patients will likely lose all affected teeth.

Periodontal Disease Symptoms

Regular check-ups with your dentist will help prevent periodontal problems; however, here are some symptoms to watch for:

Bleeding gums while brushing or cleaning between the teeth
Receding gums
Bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth
Pain while chewing food
Loose teeth or tooth loss
Gum changes (redness, swelling, or pain)

Be sure to book an appointment right away with your Burnaby Heights Dental Centre dentist to address concerns before they become a bigger problem.