How many times do you visit your dentist in a year? Your answer should be every six months. But let me guess, because of busy schedules and other vital matters, you cannot set an appointment. It might take you ages to finally put your foot down and find yourself inside the clinic. Worse, you only go to the dentist the moment the pain becomes unbearable.  

“My tooth is hurting” or “I have bleeding gums.” These types of pain will surely make you rethink all the bad decisions you’ve ever made in your life. It is why you should consult your doctor right away. You should never waste time and wait until things get worse. 

Remember the saying that “Prevention is better than cure.” There is so much that you can do to stop it, and this is what this article will show to you. This article will explain to you the two types of periodontal disease. Also, it will include its stages and ways to prevent this disease from happening to you.   

Types of Periodontal Disease

There are two major types of gum disease. 

Gingivitis

When you have gingivitis, it only means that there is infection or inflammation in your gums that need immediate cure. You can get gum disease if you have an unhealthy lifestyle or have a sickness already. It is gum disease where the person experiences bad breath, bleeding or tender gums.

People who are diabetic, pregnant, or stressed are prone to acquire this. Moreover, dentists suggest that you go under treatment by having deep cleaning. 

Periodontitis

If you did not treat gingivitis, then it’s only a matter of time before it evolves to periodontitis. This particular gum disease causes severe pain and discomfort to anyone who experiences it. In this case, the gum is swollen, which affects the bone that holds the tooth. When the bacteria go into the pockets of your gums, it causes the teeth to fall off from it. To stop it from worsening, tooth extraction is advised.

Typically, periodontal disease develops up to 4 stages:

Gingivitis

It is the first stage of gum disease. It heals through sticking to your oral hygiene routine. The gums are red and swollen, which needs a fix. Read here to know more about the stages. 

Slight Periodontal Disease

In this stage, the bacteria are already trying to destroy your bone. It goes into the pocket of your gums. Also, you can observe that there is inflammation on your gums. You can no longer cure it by simply brushing your teeth.  

Moderate Periodontal Disease

From the slight periodontal disease, it only goes worse this way. The gums are still red and swollen. This time, it targets your immune system where bleeding is present. Also, you can no longer fix this by cleaning only your teeth. 

Advanced Periodontal Disease

It is the last and the worst stage where there is the presence of abscess. A person who has this may experience extreme pain and inflammation.

It is the same as moderate periodontal disease where you can no longer prevent teeth loss, and the bacteria infect the gums. It asks for severe dental treatment from your dentist. Visit websites like https://eschenbachdental.com/periodontal-treatments/ to know more about treatment options. Feel free to check out other sources as well.

What Should You Do To Prevent Gum Disease?

If you have or have not had gingivitis or periodontitis, read the following tips below to take care of your teeth now. 

  1. Start taking care of your teeth at home.
  2. Brush your teeth after every meal to avoid the food from getting stuck between your teeth and gums. 
  3. Use floss every time you finish brushing your teeth.
  4. Use a mouthwash to cleanse your mouth. 
  5. Schedule an appointment with your dentist.

Treatment For Periodontitis:

If you are afflicted by such a condition, don’t worry. Not all hope is lost. Here are some of the treatments that your dentist can offer based on the severity of your gum condition:

  1. Tooth Scaling
  2. Doxycycline Gel or Pill
  3. Root Planning
  4. Surgery

You must always remember that, “Health is wealth.” If you feel something is wrong, do not wait for it to get worst. Go to your dentist and have yourself checked. Take care of yourself now before it is too late.