Does Gum Disease Cause Tooth Loss?

Gum disease is a gum infection, which, when left untreated, can lead to tooth loss and deterioration of the jawbone. There are different stages of periodontal disease that range from mild to advanced. Gingivitis is the only reversible stage, which is caused by plaque buildup under and around the gumline. Without treatment, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, which affects the bone that supports tooth roots. At Premier Periodontics, our periodontal specialists offer both surgical and nonsurgical gum disease treatments at all of our locations in Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Olympia, and Redmond, WA.

Stages of periodontal disease

Periodontal disease has four stages:

Gingivitis: This is the only stage that is reversible as it hasn’t yet attacked the bones. Bleeding gums is one of the first symptoms experienced. Good oral hygiene and regular dental exams, and dental cleanings help treat and reverse gingivitis successfully.
Slight periodontal disease: Slight periodontal disease is the second stage of periodontal disease. It isn’t reversible but can be easily managed at Premier Periodontics. Once you reach this stage, the infection has spread to the bone and has started to destroy bones. The bacteria are more aggressive, which is what leads to bone loss. Scaling and root planing is used to deep clean the teeth and removes bacteria deeply rooted in your gums.
Moderate periodontal disease: The third stage of periodontal disease has more probing depths, which means that even more bacteria has attacked the bones and the bloodstream too.
Advanced periodontal disease: The final stage of periodontal disease involves the infection with disease-causing bacteria. This can lead to red, swollen gums that ooze pus, tooth sensitivity, loosening of teeth, severe bad breath, and tooth or bone loss. This stage requires periodontal surgery or laser therapy with the PerioLase MVP-7 TruePulse to deep clean these deep bacteria-filled pockets. When left untreated, stage four can lead to gaps or spacing in the teeth, gum recession, and other serious health issues.

Treating periodontal disease quickly is most important. At Premier Periodontics in Bellevue, WA, we teach our patients the best oral hygiene habits that help them to halt the progression of periodontal disease.

Symptoms of gum disease

Gum disease can be silent, meaning that symptoms don’t always appear until you are in a more advanced stage of the disease. Some common signs of gum disease include:

Tender, swollen, or red gums
Bleeding while brushing or flossing
Receding gums
Loose or separating teeth
Pus between the gums and teeth
Bad breath
Change in your bite

When you suspect you may have gum disease, our periodontal specialists at Premier Periodontics at our locations throughout the state of Wahington can help.

Preventing tooth loss from gum disease

The periodontal disease treatment we give you is determined by the severity of the disease. Treating it as early as possible minimizes oral damage and decreases your need for surgery, the risk of tooth loss, and the threat of any other oral problems. For cases that we catch early, scaling and root planing is performed to deep clean the gum pockets. We may deliver local anesthesia in these areas to target harmful bacteria. Perioscopy can also be used to give our periodontal team a better view of the surfaces below the gumline. More advanced cases of periodontal disease are treated with laser gum surgery.

Recovery from gum disease treatment

Depending upon the stage of gum disease and the treatment performed, your recovery time will vary. You may need a few appointments at Premier Periodontics to completely treat your gum condition. Our periodontal specialists work efficiently, so you can visit us for the least amount of time. After your periodontal treatment is complete, it is important to keep up with your periodontal maintenance cleanings every 3 – 4 months as the oral bacteria that cause gum disease grows rapidly beyond 90 days. To manage your periodontal health between visits, we recommend that you follow a thorough oral hygiene routine at home.

Will my insurance cover my gum disease treatment?

Insurance coverage for gum disease treatment depends on the severity of your condition and the procedures required to treat it. If you have dental insurance, our office will talk to them to determine your coverage amounts and estimate any personal costs you may have. At Premier Periodontics, we accept an array of payment options and can help you find low-interest medical financing. Avoiding periodontal care due to financial concerns can lead to bigger oral health problems and the need for more extensive and expensive treatments.

Improve your periodontal health today

Gum disease continues to progress if you do not receive the proper therapy. This makes it necessary to get help from a periodontist in Bellevue, WA when any signs of gum disease occur. At Premier Periodontics, we work with you and your general dentist to improve your gum health and avoid instances of re-infection. We can teach you tips on preventing gum disease in the future too. For more information or to schedule an appointment to learn more about periodontal treatment in Bellevue, call one of our locations in Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Olympia, or Redmond, WA today.