What Is Periodontal (Gum) Disease?
New Bedford, Falmouth, & Hyannis, MA
Gum Disease Awareness & Prevention provided by Dr. Gus Dehni
and Dr. Chris Webb
in New Bedford, Falmouth, & Hyannis, MA at Center for Advanced Periodontics and Implant Dentistry
 There are a lot of horrible diseases out there and many of them are dangerous. A few examples of deadly diseases include Smallpox, The Bubonic Plague, and COVID-19.
While gum disease isn’t as horrific as the other diseases we named, it can be serious. People who have gum disease can have serious problems with their mouths. Gum disease can lead to issues not only with your mouth but with your entire body. Not sure what gum disease is and why it is so serious? Let Center for Advanced Periodontics and Implant Dentistry tell you about gum disease, how it is treated, and how you can prevent it.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection of your gums. That’s a simple explanation for a serious infection. Gum disease is caused by bacteria that are present in your mouth all the time. If you have good oral hygiene, you will have far fewer opportunities to get gum disease. If you don’t brush and floss consistently, over time, you may be likely to get gum disease. While in the beginning, gum disease is easy to treat, as it progresses, it becomes more difficult. If you leave gum disease untreated, it could lead to severe infections in your mouth and other areas of your body. Untreated gum disease can also make other conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease worse, so it is vital to get it treated.
What Are the Stages of Gum Disease?
There are three stages of gum disease. The first stage of gum disease is called stage one, or gingivitis. Millions of people suffer from stage one of gum disease each year. There are several signs you may have gum disease. You might notice that your gums are red and inflamed. You also might notice that your gums bleed very easily. They might be tender or swollen to the touch as well. Luckily, we can treat gum disease stage one very quickly, and at stage one, your gums won’t be permanently damaged.
The second stage of gum disease is called mild or early periodontitis. In the second stage of gum disease, the infection can cause spaces in between your gums and your teeth - which are also called pockets. The gum infection lives in those pockets, and because of those pockets, it makes the infection much more difficult to erase. There are some signs of stage two gum disease. You might notice your teeth look larger because your gums are pulling away from your teeth. You may have a bad taste in your mouth all the time, or you may notice you have bad breath. At stage two, we can treat your gums, but we cannot cure the disease.
Stage three of gum disease will cause your gums to pull away or recede even further from your teeth. By stage three, it is very easy to see there is an infection at your gumline. You might notice there are loose teeth in your mouth because of the infection. Chewing with your teeth may present a problem as well. Your dental work, such as dental crowns, bridges, or dentures, may not fit the way they used to before you had gum disease.
Schedule an Appointment
If you are concerned that you have gum diseased, give Center for Advanced Periodontics and Implant Dentistry a call at 508-204-3145 to schedule an appointment. We will be able to treat your gum disease and heal your mouth. We will also be able to give you restorative dental work if you need it. We understand that gum disease is frightening, but the earlier we treat it, the easier it will be to treat. Please don't hesitate and call our office today!
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