For the most part, your mouth operates just like the rest of your body: to keep you healthy, your body is constantly fighting off bacteria. Oral tissue works in its own way to achieve this goal, and to understand it could mean avoiding gum disease and potentially more severe whole body health issues.
Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease affects the supportive tissue around your teeth. It can often go undetected until serious complications arise because of how painless the majority of the gum disease stages can be. A big precursor of gum disease is when your teeth are covered in plaque (the fuzzy feeling you may have on your teeth) as plaque builds up your body begins to fight it and the gums start to bleed (gingivitis by definition is bleeding gums) if left untreated gingivitis progresses to periodontal disease.
Understanding the Gum Disease Stages
Periodontal disease causes will vary based on a variety of factors but your chance of getting gum disease is greatly reduced when you take exceptional care of your teeth. Trained Holistic Dentists can recommend both traditional and holistic methods which include brushing your teeth, flossing, using a Hydrofloss with natural, antibacterial medicaments, coconut oil pulling/swishing, treating with a natural restoring rinse to rebuild fibroblasts, building your immune system with “Daily Immune Support”, using a non-fluoride edible toothpaste with ionic minerals, vitamins K,C,D,E & CoQ10 and prebiotics.
Discuss these methods with your holistic dentist for prevention and creating oral-systemic health. If you are experiencing bleeding, gingivitis, bad breath or have been diagnosed with gum disease it is important to know which stage of gum disease you are currently facing in order to work towards reversing the adverse effects.
Gingivitis
This is the earliest stage of gum disease. At this stage, it may be difficult to notice any symptoms. However, it’s just as serious as the more destructive stages of periodontal disease because it can lead to mouth health complications without you even realizing it. You know you have gingivitis if your gums are inflamed and bleed easily when you brush your teeth, floss and/or Hydrofloss. Fortunately, you can generally treat this in your own bathroom—just brush your teeth more carefully, floss more often, add in a Hydrofloss and some of the holistic solutions to your routine. The good news is that Gingivitis is reversible and if treated correctly can prevent the future stages of gum disease.
Early periodontitis
At this stage of gum disease, it’s still hard for you to tell if anything is wrong with your gums. However, more serious periodontal disease symptoms may be occurring. Things you might notice include red gums, bad breath, and bleeding when brushing your teeth or flossing. What you won’t notice are your gums loosening from your teeth and allowing the infection to further take over.
This stage of gum disease can be treated by scheduling a deep cleaning, along with ongoing periodontal maintenance and cleanings quarterly, or every three months. Periodontal maintenance cleanings are very similar to, but deeper than, regular adult cleanings. Having these cleanings every three months can help you avoid more deep cleanings. At these cleanings, your holistic dentist can add hygiene laser sterilization to remove the bacterial colonies and keep you in better oral-systemic health.
Moderate periodontitis
Moderate periodontitis is a much more noticeable stage. Its symptoms include painful chewing or mobility of the mouth, deeper pockets in your gums, and extremely bad breath. Much like diabetes, it can be controlled to help keep bacteria inactive and from advancing to later stages of periodontitis. However, it can never be completely cured. Keep it in check by visiting your dentist every three months and the symptoms will subside and become more manageable.
Advanced periodontitis
This is the most severe stage of gum disease, bringing along with it almost certain tooth loss and seriously painful mouth pain. Periodontal bacteria can lead to more serious health risks such as heart disease and cancer. Advanced periodontitis can be managed, though the treatment is more intensive and requires urgent medical care. This can include antibiotics, gum surgery, non-metal dental implants, extractions, bone grafts, and zirconia dental implants.
Your Options for Periodontal Disease Treatment
Great oral care is important, especially since it can have a huge impact on the rest of your body’s health. Keeping this in mind, our Board Certified, Holistic, Biological Dentist, Dr. Jim Wright and our team at Four Seasons Dental Spa, only use the least toxic and most biocompatible solutions, preparations and equipment with a focus on your overall body health. Gingivitis, which leads to periodontal gum disease, is reversible and acting in a preventative manner can prevent gum disease. Gum Disease is easily avoidable before it advances and becomes only manageable.
We use state of the art scanning and treatment technologies to accurately assess your levels of oral health. We provide you with all the details of your in-depth treatment plan while taking the time to explain all aspects and answer any questions you may have. At Four Seasons Dental Spa we encourage all our patients to do their own research and ask as many questions as you have. “Knowledge is power” is one of our core philosophies. We take the extra time to be your partner in your oral health, in addition to being your dentist.
It’s simple to get started, make an appointment today for a full assessment of your oral health, and check for any symptoms of gum disease.
