Dentist in San Ramon Educates Patients on Stages Of Gum Disease
Your dentist in San Ramon warns that gum disease can occur more often than people sometimes think. Gum disease can become a lot worse if not taken care of, and I can eventually lead to tooth loss. There are many causes and different stages of gum disease. It is important to visit you dentist if you notice any early signs.
Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums and it is caused by plaque and bacteria. The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis; this is cause by plaque buildup along the gum line. This damage from this sage can be reversed if taken care of early enough. Some of the signs you may have gingivitis typically include bleeding and/or sensitivity of the gums.
It is important to inspect your gums after brushing and flossing to be sure that they aren't bleeding. If they are bleeding, you should contact your dentist to schedule a checkup, especially if you haven't had one in a while. It is important to catch gum disease early in order to reverse the damage.
The second stage, referred to as Periodontitis, is more severe, and at this stage, the damage is irreversible. The supporting bone and fibers that hold teeth in place are damaged and, as a result, you gums way begin to form pockets below he gum line. This is really bad because these pockets are more likely to trap food particles and bacteria.
3The third and most severe stage of gum disease is known as advanced periodontitis. During this stage the fibers and bone surround the teeth are irreversibly destroyed. Your teeth may shift, loosen, and possibly even fall out if the disease has progressed to this stage. There are some aggressive treatments that may be able to help at this stage, however, they can be painful and expensive.
If you want to avoid gum disease, be sure to brush the proper way at least twice a day for two minutes each session. Be sure to floss at least once daily, and be sure to visit your dentist once every 6 months at least. This will help to catch the disease early, if you have it, and reverse the damage as well as prevent it from progressing.
Call (925) 804-6440 to schedule an appointment if you think you may have gum disease or if it's time for your checkup!