Modern times offer numerous ways to improve one’s health, including healthy diet choices, exercise, and routine check-ups. But equally important is dental health, which can be achieved with good oral hygiene, like brushing and flossing, as well as regular dental check-ups. Doing so will not only keep your smile bright and healthy, but it will also prevent gum disease, a dental health concern that can hold you back from flaunting a worry-free smile. However, identifying and treating it early on can save you from serious implications.
Wondering how to find out if your gums are in trouble? Read on to learn the signs of gum disease, its stages, and when to see a dental professional for treatment. Then, let us discover the preventive measures that can help keep your gums healthy and problem-free.
What is Periodontal Disease?
The word “periodontal” implies around the tooth. Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is a bacterial infection and inflammation of the gums and bones that support and anchor the teeth in place. Having unusually puffy, tender, red gums, or gums that bleed while brushing and flossing can be a warning sign of gum infection.
Gum infection is caused by bacteria in the dental plaque, a sticky biofilm that accumulates around the teeth and along the gum line. If not cleaned with regular brushing and flossing, plaque hardens to tartar, irritates, and causes the gums to recede from the teeth, creating pockets. Bacteria thrive in these pockets, worsening the infection and eventually damaging the supporting bones. Left untreated, severe gum disease causes the teeth to weaken and fall out eventually.
Periodontal disease is a widespread and common oral health concern worldwide. However, diagnosing and treating it early on can stop the infection from progressing and save you from potential damage to the supporting bones and subsequent tooth loss. Apart from poor oral hygiene, some other factors can make you susceptible to gum problems, including:
Stress
Lifestyle factors, such as smoking and tobacco use
Side effects of some medications used for health problems of non-dental origin
Some health conditions, such as diabetes, weak immune system, and hormonal changes
The Three Stages of Periodontal Disease
The Singapore General Hospital says 90% of Singaporean adults have some form of periodontal disease, mild or severe. Mild forms are often painless and have some noticeable symptoms. However, advanced forms have serious implications for dental health. Rarely, a gum infection may show no symptoms at all, which makes regular dental visits crucial to keeping it in check. It is worth understanding the stages through which an untreated gum infection can progress.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the initial and most common stage of gum disease. It develops as plaque accumulates around the gum line, and the plaque bacteria cause irritation and inflammation of the gums. Gingivitis is usually painless, and its typical symptoms include:
Red and swollen gums
Gums that easily bleed while brushing and flossing
Bad breath (in some cases)
Gingivitis can be easily reversed to restore healthy gums; timely intervention can prevent the infection from advancing to the next stage. Combating gingivitis requires consistent dental hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing, to eliminate plaque build-up. Professional treatment aims to remove plaque and calculus (hardened plaque) from the gum line. It involves non-surgical procedures such as professional cleaning or deep cleaning, including scaling and root planing with a dental hygienist.
Periodontitis
Left unchecked, gingivitis advances to a more serious condition known as periodontitis. It causes damage to the soft tissue and a moderate loss of bone that supports the teeth. The inflamed gums start shrinking away from the teeth (gum recession), creating gaps between the teeth and gums, which are called periodontal pockets. Besides red, swollen, and bleeding gums, other symptoms include:
Receding gums (long teeth)
Tender or sore gums
Sensitive teeth
Bad breath
Early periodontitis may not feature symptoms until it has advanced. Treatment may involve non-surgical or surgical procedures to stop the infection from worsening and prevent further damage to the supporting bone and tissues and tooth loss.
Advanced Periodontitis Symptoms
The advanced form of gum disease is characterised by significant bone loss and severe damage to the tooth roots and tissues that support teeth. It is not reversible, and the treatment options often involve gum surgery and restorative procedures such as bone grafting or tissue grafts, and sometimes tooth extraction. It features deeper periodontal pockets, teeth shifting, and pain or discomfort when chewing. Apart from red, swollen, and bleeding gums, other symptoms include:
Deeper periodontal pockets
Permanent teeth that are loose, wobbly, or separating
Persistent bad breath or bad taste
Change in the way the teeth fit together while biting/change in the fit of partial dentures
Severely receded gums
Pus-filled gum pockets (gum abscesses) that are painful
Pain or discomfort while biting
How To Prevent Gum Disease
Gum disease can sometimes be a ‘silent enemy’ that progresses without any obvious symptoms. So, a proactive approach is crucial for effective prevention. It is essential to eliminate the causes, address the risk factors, and keep the infection at bay to avoid potential implications. Various measures that you can use to prevent gum infections and periodontal disease include:
Consistent oral hygiene practices: Regular brushing and flossing are inevitable for daily dental care. Brushing twice daily using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush is ideal for healthy teeth and gums. Flossing once a day or doing interdental cleaning helps remove the hidden plaque and bacteria that have escaped the toothbrush. Rinsing with mouthwash also keeps harmful germs in check.
Regular dental checkups: Besides a consistent dental hygiene routine at home, routine dental checkups are crucial in ruling out a potential gum infection. Dental cleaning by a dentist helps get rid of calculus and plaque deposits that escaped brushing and flossing, making you less susceptible to gum problems.
Lifestyle changes and healthcare: Addressing the risk factors related to lifestyle and health conditions helps strengthen your defence against periodontal disease. Lifestyle changes, including quitting smoking and tobacco use and adopting a healthy diet, can help. Treating systemic diseases such as diabetes is also essential to mitigating your risk of gum problems.
When to See a Dental Professional?
A regular appointment with your dentist, at least twice a year, is vital for good dental hygiene. Early detection and treatment are the keys to safeguarding your mouth from periodontal disease and the damage it can cause. If you notice swollen, red, and bleeding gums or any indications of periodontitis, it is vital to consult a dentist without delay. If regular cleaning does suffice, gum disease treatment may be recommended based on the stage and severity of the infection.
Gum disease is a prevalent oral health concern with varying stages, ranging from mild gingivitis to advanced periodontitis. You can significantly reduce your chances of developing gum disease by prioritising excellent oral hygiene practices, attending regular dental check-ups, and managing risk factors like smoking and health conditions. Early detection and treatment are crucial to preventing its progression and safeguarding your oral health for a worry-free smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to determine the periodontitis stage?
Can you reverse Stage 3 periodontitis?
Can Stage 2 periodontitis be cured?
What is the difference between Stage 2 and Stage 3 periodontitis?
Symptoms of gum disease vary in stages. In its early stages, called gingivitis, it features red, swollen, and bleeding gums. Periodontitis features receding gums and deeper pockets, while advanced periodontitis indicates loose teeth, pus, pain, and discomfort. Evaluation by a periodontist, including X-rays to assess bone loss, is crucial for precise determination.
Stage 3 periodontitis indicates significant damage to gum tissues and supporting bones, so it is not reversible. However, prompt treatment can eliminate the infection and prevent further damage, such as tooth loss, though it cannot replace the already lost bone and tissues. Early detection and prevention are key to avoiding this stage altogether.
A definitive “cure” for Stage 2 periodontitis may not always be possible, but a timely intervention helps curb the infection from worsening and spreading. Gum disease treatment for this stage may involve nonsurgical treatment to remove plaque and calculus, potentially halting the disease and keeping your teeth healthy.
Periodontitis Stages 2 and 3 differ in terms of the severity of the infection, bone loss, and symptoms. In addition to red, swollen, and bleeding gums, Stage 2 features gum pockets and receding gums. Stage 3 also features significant bone loss, deeper gum pockets or painful abscesses, severe gum recession, and tooth mobility or loss.
