When bacteria build up in the plaque on your teeth, it can infect your gum tissue, causing numerous oral health issues along with chronic inflammation. Gum disease progresses through phases, doing more damage as it advances. Early detection and treatment is essential to save your smile and protect your overall health. Become familiar with the stages of periodontal disease in order to recognize the symptoms.

The First Stage of Gum Disease: Gingivitis

·         Gingivitis is the first stage and is marked by bleeding gums in Nashville, TN. If you see blood while brushing or flossing, you have an infection. Other symptoms may include red, swollen, or irritated gum tissue, bad breath, and wider periodontal pockets.

·         Treatments at this stage are non-surgical and typically consist of antibiotic therapy or scaling and planing, basically a deep cleaning.

The Second Stage of Gum Disease: Periodontitis

·         If no treatment is sought, the infection will worsen to periodontitis. The bacteria move below the gum line, damaging the connective tissue and bone that support your teeth. Your periodontal tissue pulls away from the teeth, creating gum recession and shifting teeth.

·         Treatment for periodontitis might include flap surgery, also called osseous surgery, in which infected tissue is removed and bone is cleared of bacteria and smoothed. Some doctors, like Nashville Periodontal Group, offer laser gum surgery. The Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP®) is performed without scalpels or sutures.

The Third Stage of Gum Disease: Advanced Periodontitis

·         The final stage is advanced periodontitis. It will continue indefinitely, until treatment is sought. Shifting teeth and gum recession progress to the point that teeth, bone, and periodontal tissue will be lost.

·         Beyond gum surgery, procedures to repair your smile may be necessary, such as gum tissue grafting, bone grafting, or dental implants.

As you can imagine, it is far better to seek treatment at the first sign of bleeding gums Nashville, TN, then to undergo the various procedures needed to restore oral health. If you believe that you have the signs of gum disease, do not hesitate to call the Nashville Periodontal Group for a consultation. We welcome new patients.