A score of 1 means that you have some plaque or bleeding from the edges of your gums. Score 2. 2 means there is some hardened dead plaque attached to your teeth, which some gentle cleaning and a little oral health education can help with. Score 3. It's the 3 scores that present the difficulty.
Stage 2: Periodontitis
If gingivitis is left untreated, the condition will become periodontitis. At this stage, the supporting bones and fibers that hold your teeth in place have been irreversibly damaged.
A larger or a higher number indicates that you have gum issues such as plaque and tartar buildup. If you hear numbers of 0 or 1, you are doing pretty well. 2 and 3 means we need to work on your gums a little more and 4 will require some deeper cleaning and closer monitoring.
If you score 0-3's then routine scaling and oral hygiene is generally all that is needed.
0 to 3 mm without bleeding: Congratulations! No issues! 1 to 3 mm with bleeding: This is gingivitis which is the mildest form of gum disease. Usually, a good cleaning coupled with improved oral self-care is all that is needed. 3 to 5 mm with no bleeding: There is a strong potential for gum disease.
One of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your gum health is to brush your teeth regularly. But it is crucial to make sure you are brushing well. Effective brushing will adequately remove food particles and plaque buildup and help stimulate gum recovery.
The final stage is advanced periodontal disease. It occurs when the infection deepens even further. Advanced periodontal disease causes red, swollen gums that ooze pus, cold sensitivity, further loosening of teeth, severe bone loss, painful chewing, and severe halitosis (bad breath).
The answer is “yes,” but there's a catch. Only the first stage of gum disease, known as “gingivitis” can be reversed. After it progresses into the second stage (periodontitis), it's no longer possible to completely eliminate it.
What Treatments Are Available to Treat Periodontal Pockets? Scaling and root planing helps to deep clean in and around the periodontal pockets. This procedure removes the plaque and bacteria on the tooth and underneath the gum line. Scaling and root planing helps to shrink periodontal pockets and can heal gum tissue.
Advanced periodontitis is the fifth and final stage of gum disease, and it is likely that you will lose teeth or at least loosen teeth during this phase without immediate dental intervention. The infection impacts the jawbone, so teeth may be lost regardless.
In most cases, the damage will not be completely reversible, but if you follow the treatment and prevention plan laid out by your dentist, you should be able to see significant improvement. Most people are able to reclaim a 4mm to 5mm pocket depth with proper treatment and ongoing periodontal maintenance.
Stage 4: Progressive Periodontitis
The end result — eating and even smiling is hard and painful, and you may lose most of your teeth. However, it's important for you to know that all of this is preventable with regular oral hygiene and routine oral cleaning at the dental clinic.
Periodontitis can't be reversed, only slowed down, while gingivitis can be reversed. This is why it's important to catch it in its early stages and prevent it from moving on to periodontitis.
Periodontitis is the second stage of gum disease. Once you reach this stage, the damage done to your gum tissue is irreversible. Your gums may form a pocket below the gumline that traps food and bacteria. Other signs include increased swelling or redness of the gums and persistent bad breath even after brushing.
Within two to three weeks, the signs of generalized gingivitis become more noticeable. If you still leave this untreated, it would progress to slight periodontal disease. At this stage, your gums will start to pull away or "recede" from your teeth.
It's never too late for gum grafting as long as the patient has sufficient gum tissue to harvest for the graft. However, the success rate of the procedure may be lower in cases where the patient has advanced gum disease or other underlying health issues that can affect the healing process.
If left untreated, gum recession and tooth loss can occur. Whilst some symptoms will indicate the presence of gum disease because it is such a slow-progressing condition, regular hygienist appointments are paramount if you want to prevent unpleasant symptoms.
Water flossers are easy to use and can reach up to 90% of your gum pocket. A water flosser can remove plaque and improve your gum health. The flosser has a soft rubber tip that is gentle and does not irritate the gums. If you have severe periodontal pockets, we may recommend gum surgery in our office.
Can a Water Flosser Effectively Fight Periodontal Disease? The simple answer is: maybe. Bear with us; we'll explain why. It depends on your regular oral hygiene routine, how far the periodontal disease has progressed, and whether or not you have any dental implants, braces, gum grafts, or other periodontal treatments.
For patients with periodontitis, which is the second stage of gum disease, a procedure such as a “deep cleaning” may be advised. This routine periodontal treatment removes hardened plaque and bacteria deep below the gumline and provides a better opportunity for the gum tissue to firmly attach to the tooth roots.
Periodontal disease is not a life-threatening condition.
If you have mild gingivitis, it can take weeks or even months for it to turn into periodontitis. However, if you have severe gingivitis, it can progress into periodontitis in as little as a few days. This is why it is so important to see a dentist as soon as you notice any symptoms of gingivitis.
Stage 2: Mild Periodontitis
Once you reach this second stage of gum disease, it is no longer reversible. However, it can be managed. At this stage, the infection of the gums has spread to the bone. The bacteria have evolved and become more aggressive, causing additional bone loss.