Per CDC/AAP, severe periodontitis is defined as having 2 or more interproximal sites with
Moderate Periodontitis
Teeth may become loose and wiggly, and the jaw is beginning to become affected and infected, too. If you have stage four gum disease, you may sometimes experience a foul-tasting discharge from your swollen gums. This is a serious situation that merits a visit to your dentist right away.
Stage 4: Progressive Periodontitis
This stage involves teeth looseness, shifting teeth, red, swollen and painful gums, often forming an abscess. The end result — eating and even smiling is hard and painful, and you may lose most of your teeth.
In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums can become swollen and red, and they may bleed. In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or even fall out. Periodontal disease is mostly seen in adults.
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.
Thankfully, it is never too late to get treatment for gum disease. Your specialized hygienic can complete a full diagnosis to help you determine what stage your gum disease has advanced to. Several treatment solutions may be offered depending on the severity of your condition.
In some cases, it may be too late for gum grafting to save the gums. If your gums are severely damaged, receding so far back that they expose the tooth's root, or if there is significant bone loss from advanced gum disease, gum grafting may not be able to restore them to their healthy state.
They may experience receding gums, loosening teeth, or tooth loss when it progresses into severe periodontal disease. If you wonder if you can live with this disease, the answer is yes. In general, periodontal disease does not cause pain, which is one of the reasons it develops into a severe condition.
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.
Yes, depending on the severity of the gum disease, teeth affected by periodontal disease may be saved. Scaling, root planing, and antibiotic therapy can help reduce inflammation and slow the progress of periodontal disease. Surgery may sometimes be required to repair and restore the lost tissue and bone.
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.
3 mm - 5 mm with bleeding: It's very likely that gums with these measurements have early gum disease. 5 mm - 7 mm with bleeding: Besides almost certain gum disease, bone loss and tissue damage are also possible. 7 mm+ with bleeding: Pockets deeper than 7 mm means advanced gum disease is certain.
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.
But it can lead to other health conditions that may require treatment, especially if the infection spreads to other areas of your body. Gum disease isn't curable. But it's manageable with proper treatment. If you have gum disease, early detection and treatment can help you better manage your oral health.
Deep cleaning is not necessary for every patient. However, for patients with gingivitis (the first stage of gum disease) or a more serious case of gum disease, deep cleaning may be required to prevent tooth loss and stop further damage.
While gum disease can be effectively treated in the early stages, advanced periodontal disease, often called periodontitis, can't be reversed.
Periodontal disease is not a life-threatening condition.
If most or all of your teeth are impacted the repair process will be much more difficult. If certain teeth are worse off than others it may mean that some of them are too far gone and some of them can be saved. Keep in mind that certain types of damage are only visible with the help of imaging or a trained eye.
How Far Can Gums Recede? Gums can recede to the extent at which the uppermost portion of the root becomes visible. Damage can also extend to the ligament and the bone, where it cannot be seen. Prompt care for receding gums is important to avoid significant consequences.
Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue around teeth. Without treatment, periodontitis can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. This can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss. Periodontitis is common but can usually be prevented.
Acidic items like soda, apple cider vinegar, and limes can irritate the inflamed gums and contribute to more gum recession and irritation. Highly acidic things also erode the tooth's enamel, exposing it to tooth decay. It's best to avoid or limit acidic items.
The Danger of Untreated Infected Teeth and Gums
An infection in your body is considered a threat. If they are not treated, they can last for several months or years.
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.
5-7mm with bleeding means that there has been some gum tissue damage. In some cases, it can also be bone loss around the area. This will require more hygiene visits and special treatment along with good at home oral care. 7mm and above with bleeding is the advanced stage of periodontal disease.