If you live in the Jacksonville, NC area and suffer from periodontal disease or are at risk of developing it, it’s important that you know exactly what this disease is, how it manifests, the common symptoms and stages, and how you can prevent it, reverse it, or combat it long-term. With the right dental care and a customized treatment plan, you can reverse this condition at the earliest stages or manage it and prevent it from worsening.
Combating Periodontal Disease in Jacksonville, NC: What You Need To Know
Periodontal disease is a condition in which the gum tissues become infected and require special treatment to avoid tooth loss. It affects patients in Jacksonville, NC, at various levels of severity and, when detected early, can be treated and managed to ensure the best dental health possible.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Gum disease, or periodontitis, results when the gums become infected or inflamed due to plaque and bacteria buildup. It is one of the biggest threats to dental health and is a common condition among Americans. It affects almost 50% of adults over 30 and becomes more prevalent in adults over 65. With the proper treatment and the right dental care, you can mitigate the risk of periodontitis, treat your symptoms, and even reverse it.
Periodontitis, at its earliest stage, is referred to as gingivitis. Patients suffering from gingivitis typically experience swollen gums that may or may not bleed. As the condition worsens, it’s referred to as periodontitis, and the symptoms intensify as the gums begin to recede from the teeth. At these stages, patients may also lose bone or teeth.
What Causes Periodontitis?
Several factors contribute to gingivitis and, eventually, periodontitis. The primary cause is mouth bacteria, which causes inflammation of the gum tissue. Other factors that increase the risk of periodontitis include health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases, genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, poor oral hygiene, and high stress levels.
While all these factors increase the risk of developing periodontitis, dental plaque buildup is the number one cause of this condition, as plaque contains bacteria that cause gum inflammation or infection.
What Are the Symptoms?
Different symptoms may indicate that you are in the early, mid, or more advanced stages of gum disease. Common symptoms include bleeding gums, mouth soreness, an unpleasant taste in your mouth, difficulty or pain when chewing, changes in the color of your gums, gum recession, changes in your bite, and loose teeth.
Contrasting affected gum tissue with healthy gum tissue can also help identify the symptoms: healthy gums rarely bleed, are not inflamed, and feel firm to the touch.
Understanding the Stages of Periodontitis
There are four primary stages of periodontitis. Understanding each can help you identify which stage you’re in so that you can proceed with the right treatment plan to reverse or manage your symptoms and achieve optimal oral health.
Stage One: Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a well-known dental condition that’s actually the earliest stage of periodontitis. Those with gingivitis may experience red or inflamed gums that bleed when brushing or flossing but have not experienced any bone loss. With the right dental care and treatment plan, reversing gingivitis is completely possible.
Stage Two: Mild Periodontitis
If gingivitis is left untreated, periodontitis progresses to the second stage: mild periodontitis. In this stage, bacteria reach the area beneath the gums and begin to affect the bone. As a result, cavities are created around the teeth as the gums begin to separate from the teeth, and bacteria and plaque build up in the area, which worsens the condition.
Stage Three: Moderate Periodontitis
The third stage of periodontitis is defined by more moderate symptoms. The bacteria that has reached the area beneath the teeth begins to wear away at the bones, causing bad breath and infected gums. Common symptoms of moderate periodontitis include bleeding gums and noticeable pain.
Stage Four: Advanced Periodontitis
In the fourth and final stage of periodontitis, the teeth begin to loosen and fall out as the bacteria cause increased bone loss.
Is Periodontitis Reversible?
Periodontitis is completely reversible, but it must be addressed at the earliest stages in order to promote optimal oral health and prevent the condition from advancing over time. As the disease progresses to later stages, reversing it is no longer possible because of bone loss and gum infection. However, those with more advanced stages of periodontitis can still manage the condition by focusing on their oral health and scheduling regular dental treatments.
How Does a Dentist Diagnose Periodontitis?
If you think you may be in the early, mild, or more advanced stages of periodontitis but aren’t completely sure, it’s important that you seek out the care of a qualified and experienced dentist who can perform the necessary evaluation to accurately diagnose your condition, determine what stage you’re in, and design the right treatment plan to promote your oral health.
At your appointment, your dentist will perform a physical examination of your teeth and gums and also discuss your current symptoms and oral health history to make an accurate diagnosis.
How Do I Prevent Periodontitis?
If you don’t have the symptoms of gum disease and want to keep it that way, there are some steps you can take to avoid this condition, even if you qualify as high-risk due to factors beyond your control. Dentists can perform an annual evaluation, called a CPE, which is a comprehensive periodontal evaluation.
A CPE includes an oral health examination during which the dentist will assess your gums, bone structure, bite, teeth, and the amount of plaque in your mouth to assess your risk factors and oral hygiene. Regular examinations and cleanings and optimal at-home oral health care can prevent gum disease and reduce the risk of developing this condition.
Brush and Floss Daily
Brushing your teeth twice daily is one of the most important aspects of oral health, but you can take it even further by brushing after every meal. Doing so will remove plaque and food from your gums and prevent bacteria buildup. Additionally, daily flossing will remove plaque from between the teeth and help maintain oral health in areas your toothbrush may not be able to reach.
Schedule Regular Dental Cleanings
Scheduling regular dental exams and cleanings is another way to prevent or reverse gum disease, reduce your risk, manage your current stage of periodontitis, and promote optimal oral health. Your dentist will evaluate your oral health at each appointment and take any necessary steps to reverse gingivitis or treat more advanced stages of periodontitis.
Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Living a healthy lifestyle goes a long way in promoting optimal oral health. Avoiding smoking, eating a healthy diet, limiting sugar, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding sugary or carbonated beverages can prevent plaque buildup and the bacteria that can increase the risk of developing periodontitis in the first place.
If you’ve been diagnosed with periodontitis, or you know that your genetics, age, or current health increases your risk of developing gum disease, we can create the right treatment plan to help you achieve and maintain optimal oral health. Contact one of our Smith Family and Cosmetic Dentistry locations in Jacksonville, Sneads Ferry, Porters Neck, Goldsboro, Hampstead, Wilmington, or Surf City, NC to schedule your next appointment and learn more about our dental services.