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All of the Stages of Gum Disease

  • December 28, 2018
  • 10:44 am
  • Dental Care, Dental Education, FAQ
  • Gingivitis, Gum Disease, Gums, Periodontal Disease

Gum disease is a serious issue and not one you want to take lightly. Luckily, it’s reversible if you catch it in the early stages. If you wait too long, more serious measures may need to be taken. If you notice the symptoms of gum disease, it’s important to visit your dentist and get it taken care of. Here are the stages of gum disease and what you should be looking for:

Healthy Gums

First, let’s establish a baseline. It’s good to know what healthy gums look like so you can quickly spot when something is wrong. Healthy gums will be firm, pink, and fit snugly around your teeth. They also won’t be receded and will go fairly high up on your teeth. If you have healthy gums, just keep up with your routine of brushing and flossing and they should stay that way. Oh, and don’t forget to visit your dentist for your regular cleanings!

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and is very treatable. In fact, you can often treat it yourself at home with good habits. Here are some symptoms to watch out for:

  • Puffy or swollen gums
  • Red or inflamed gums
  • Bleeding when brushing or flossing
  • Bad breath.

If you notice these symptoms, try using an antiseptic mouthwash in addition to your brushing and flossing routine. If they don’t get better within a couple of weeks, give your dentist a call.

Periodontal Disease

The next stage of gum disease is periodontal disease. When gum disease advances to this stage, it starts to affect the bones. Periodontal disease is serious and although it can range from mild to severe, you want to get treatment as soon as possible. When it gets to the advanced stages, irreversible bone and tissue loss can occur. Here are some symptoms to watch out for:

  • Receding gum line
  • Pockets forming between teeth and gums
  • Loose teeth
  • Changes in bite
  • Pain when chewing or biting.

Unfortunately, some of these symptoms aren’t easy to detect. That’s why it’s so important to visit your dentist for cleanings on a regular basis. They’ll be able to detect the early stages of gum disease and recommend the right treatment to reverse the damage.

Come to Parkcrest Dental Group

If you notice signs of gum disease, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible to make sure nothing more serious is going on. You should also make sure to get your cleanings biannually to prevent gum disease in the first place! Contact us today to schedule your next cleaning with your dentist in Springfield, MO.

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Meet Some Dentists in Springfield, MO

Some of the doctors at Parkcrest Dental Group

Dr. Stuart Scott (top left) is our pediatric dentist. He earned his degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry before completing a two-year residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Steven Harrison (top center) is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Harrison, our orthodontist, graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He’s been with Parkcrest Dental Group since 1986.

Dr. Chanin Ropka (top right) attended UMKC before joining the United States Navy, where she served as the only dentist on board the USS Germantown and at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Ropka began at Parkcrest Dental in 2001.

Dr. Daniel Fannin (bottom left) graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry in 1997. He completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in 1998 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group that same year.

Dr. Steven C. Sponenberg (bottom center) has been a Springfieldian his entire life. He graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2004 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group immediately after.

Dr. Jason Hall (bottom right) is also a native Springfieldian. He earned his DDS from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Dental School in 1997. He came to Parkcrest Dental Group in 2010. Dr. Hall’s father, Stan, is also a dentist.

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