The Progression of Gum Disease

Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is a painful and dangerous gum condition that attacks the quality of your smile and can destroy your oral health over time. We want to help you understand how gum disease progresses so that you can take steps to protect your oral health from its effects.

When plaque builds up on your teeth and is not removed, it will grow to cover your teeth and cause gum irritation. Then, the plaque irritates the gums to the point that they turn red and become tender and swollen, causing them to bleed easily when you are brushing or flossing. This early stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis, and it can be easily treated if addressed now.

Untreated gingivitis advances to periodontitis, a much more serious stage of gum disease that creates periodontal pockets as the gums pull away from the teeth. These pockets easily collect bacteria and breed infections. The plaque will eventually extend below the gum line and release toxins that compromise the underlying bone and tissues, causing them to become so damaged that they can no longer hold your teeth together and your teeth will feel loose. The final effect is tooth loss.

You can prevent gum disease by visiting the dentist regularly for six-month checkups, where our team will perform a deep cleaning of your smile by scraping your tooth surfaces clear of plaque. If gum disease has already developed, we can perform a procedure called scaling and root planing at three-month intervals to return your smile to good standing. Our team deeply cleans around your teeth and developing gum pockets and provide medication to help your gums heal. In advanced cases of gum disease, you may need to visit a periodontist to receive specialized periodontal treatments.

If you would like to further gum disease with one of our dentists and schedule a deep cleaning at Chelsea Family Dentistry, please call 734-475-8500. We are on hand to provide healing gum disease treatment in Chelsea, Michigan. Dr. Todd Napieralski, Dr. Brian Wisniewski, and Dr. Jomana Shayota are here to help you maintain a healthy smile!