Stage 1: Gingivitis

Gingivitis is caused by plaque buildup along the gumline and is the earliest and most easily manageable stage of gum disease.

Symptoms

• Red, swollen, or tender gums
• Bleeding during brushing or flossing
• Persistent bad breath

Treatment

Gingivitis is easily reversible with professional dental cleanings and good oral hygiene, including brushing twice daily, flossing, and using an antibacterial mouthwash.

Stage 2: Early Periodontitis

When gingivitis is ignored, bacteria begin to spread below the gumline and into the roots, damaging the bone that supports your teeth.

Symptoms

• Ongoing bad breath
• Gum recession
• Increased bleeding
• Mild discomfort

Treatment

Deep cleanings, such as scaling and root planing, remove plaque and bacteria beneath your gums and encourage healing.

Stage 3: Moderate Periodontitis

As gum disease progresses, bone loss becomes more noticeable, and gum pockets deepen.

Symptoms

• Gum recession
• Tooth sensitivity
• Pus around the gums 
• Movement in your teeth

Treatment

More intensive periodontal therapy, localized antibiotics, and frequent maintenance visits are often needed.

Stage 4: Advanced Periodontitis

Advanced periodontitis can threaten both your teeth and jawbone.

Symptoms

• Loose or shifting teeth
• Increased pain when chewing
• Severe gum recession
• Significant bone loss

Treatment

Surgical procedures such as gum or bone grafting may be required, and tooth replacement may be necessary in severe cases.

How Gum Disease Affects Your Overall Health

Gum disease doesn’t just affect your mouth. The bacteria and inflammation caused by periodontal disease have been linked to serious health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes complications, stroke, and respiratory infections. Chronic gum inflammation can increase inflammation throughout your body, making it harder to manage existing health conditions and potentially increasing your risk for new ones.

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Before the advent of antibiotics, dental infections were ranked as the number three cause of death. The infection “dissects” its way through what are called “potential spaces” between muscles, skin, tendons, and ligaments, and quickly reaches the brain, lungs, heart or a combination of these vital organs. When the cardiovascular system is attacked by infection, we say the patient is “septic”. As early as 1973, 96% of infections receiving hospital treatment with antibiotic therapy were susceptible to the Penicillin class of antibiotics. By the 1990’s 96% of hospital based infections were resistant to the penicillins, meaning that other antibiotics had to be used to treat infections. The resulting “suprainfections” occasionally are resistant to all known antibiotics. Every dental infection is life threatening. They can and do get out of control very quickly and should be attended to immediately.

Other symptoms of dental infection may include: sharp or dull pain in the gums, pressure and/or heat sensitivity with a tooth, swelling, exudate (pus), and bleeding in extreme cases.

Keep your immune system healthy, take antibiotics only when necessary, and seek dental or medical care early if you believe you have an infection.

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How Periodontitis Affects the Mouth

When you have periodontitis, bacteria slip underneath your gumline and create pockets where an infection is left to damage your gums, the ligaments that help hold your teeth securely in your mouth, and can even lead to tooth loss. You likely have red or irritated gums that are painful when periodontitis is present. The bacteria that cause gum disease are protected underneath your gums because your toothbrush can’t reach these spaces!

In order to combat periodontitis, your dentist will need to clean out these pockets and remove the infection. If your periodontitis isn’t severe, you likely won’t need surgical treatment. Non-surgical treatment for periodontitis is also called root planing or scaling. This deep cleaning can help to remove the infection and restore your gums.

What Is Root Planing and Scaling?

When your gums harbor infectious tissue and bacteria, root planing and scaling is often the first step your dentist will take to help get your mouth back to normal. During this procedure, you’ll receive local anesthesia to help with any discomfort you may feel. Your dentist will then conduct a thorough cleaning using special tools to remove plaque, infection, bacteria, and tartar that are causing the inflammation from your teeth and gums.

Your dentist will also smooth the roots of your teeth back into place, which helps your gums maintain their normal shape and therefore protect your teeth and gums from harmful bacteria that may try to re-enter areas below the gumline. Oftentimes, this treatment is the only treatment that’s needed for periodontitis!

Effectively Treat Periodontitis

If your gum disease has progressed to the point that it’s causing your gums to become inflamed and harbor infection, you can effectively treat periodontitis the first time with root planing and scaling. With regular dental checkups and great home care habits for your smile, this may be the only treatment you need! Generally, the gums respond well to this treatment and are able to heal. Your dentist is able to help prevent further damage and protect your smile with non-surgical treatment for periodontitis.

If your gums are tender, bleed when brushing, or look “puffy” and swollen out from your teeth, it’s time to visit your dentist to check for gum disease. Periodontitis can often be easily treated with root planing and scaling by your local dentist, and with some oral health care changes, your gums can be restored and healthily support your teeth for life!

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