Periodontitis, also known as gum disease, is a preventable infection that can damage and destroy teeth to the point of tooth loss. It begins with the buildup of plaque and tartar from oral bacteria. Warning signs to look out for include bleeding gums, receding gums, swollen gums, and even the loss of teeth. Luckily gum disease is treatable and can be detected by your dentist even in early stages. If left untreated it can lead to serious health concerns such as a risk of stroke and heart attack.
Gum disease is broken down into three stages of varying severity: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. At the stage of gingivitis, inflammation causes the pockets formed by the gums around the teeth to expand. This space between the teeth and gums can be measured by your dentist to determine the scope of damage. If your dentist measures this space to be over three millimeters, this leaves room for further complications.
When gingivitis becomes periodontitis, prolonged exposure to plaque and tartar create even greater space between the gums and teeth. At this stage bone loss has begun and the gums bleed easily.
The final stage is advanced periodontitis where bone loss could be severe. The gap between the teeth and gums has allowed bacteria to slip all the way to the socket and roots of the teeth. At this stage the prevalence of bacteria loosens the tooth from the bone and immediate treatment is necessary to prevent the loss of teeth.