The early stage of gum disease is referred to as gingivitis. If gingivitis is left untreated, the disease may advance to periodontitis. This severe form of gum disease frequently leads to tooth loss. The severity of your gum disease determines which treatments your dentist or periodontist in Vero Beach, Florida, utilizes.

Gingivitis vs. Periodontitis: What Are the Differences?

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. This form of gum disease develops when an individual has poor dental hygiene, allowing bacteria-filled plaque and tartar to build up on the teeth.

If gingivitis is treated early enough, your dentist in Vero Beach, Florida, can reverse some of the damage the bacteria have caused.

The symptoms of gingivitis are red, inflamed and tender gums. If you have gingivitis, the gum tissue, which is also referred to as gingival tissue, bleeds when you brush and floss your teeth. At this stage, any damage the bacteria have caused can usually be reversed.

When the early form of gum disease remains untreated, it typically progresses to periodontitis. At this stage of gum disease, your gingival tissue, teeth and bone are all negatively impacted. Bone loss occurs as the body’s immune system responds to the bacteria-filled biofilm and the metabolic byproducts the bacteria release. The damage the bacteria cause during this more severe stage of gum disease is permanent.

How Common Is Periodontitis?

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), approximately 42% of adults in the United States who are 30 years old or older have periodontitis.

What Are the Symptoms of Periodontitis?

While the symptoms of gingivitis are few, periodontitis symptoms are many.

Periodontitis symptoms include:

• Gum tissue that bleeds while flossing and brushing.
• Red, inflamed and tender gingival tissue.
• A foul taste in your mouth.
• Halitosis (i.e., persistent bad breath).
• A receding gum line.
• Loose or shifting teeth.
• Pain while eating.
• Inflammation throughout the body.
• Tooth loss.
• Pus in between the teeth and gums.
• Changes in your natural bite alignment.

If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms listed above, contact Vero VIP Implants & Periodontics today. Let Dr. Jeff Brown help eradicate the bacteria that are wreaking havoc on your teeth, bones and gum tissue.

How Does Dr. Brown Treat Periodontitis?

When treating periodontitis, Dr. Brown’s goal is to eliminate the bacteria-filled biofilm and tartar on the surface of the teeth. He also addresses any pockets that have developed along the gum line. These pockets form as the gingival tissue pulls away from the teeth. To address these issues, Dr. Brown performs a surgical cleaning. A surgical cleaning is necessary because a typical cleaning will not be able to address the aggressive bacteria that reside within the pockets. Eliminating these aggressive bacteria is crucial to your overall health. If there is an opening in your gum tissue, these bacteria may enter your bloodstream. Studies indicate that if these bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can make you more susceptible to having a stroke and a heart attack, as well as developing dementia or an autoimmune disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).

Can Gingivitis and Periodontitis Be Prevented?

Yes, practicing good oral hygiene and following your dentist’s recommendation about having dental checkups and cleanings can prevent the development of gingivitis, which ensures periodontitis will not develop.

Dr. Brown Can Replace Your Missing Teeth With Dental Implants

Dr. Jeff Brown routinely replaces lost teeth with dental implants. Even if periodontitis has negatively affected your jawbone, Dr. Brown can use guided bone regeneration to rebuild the bone before he places your dental implants.

If you think you may have gingivitis, seeking treatment right away can reduce the likelihood that it will progress to periodontitis. However, if you know you have periodontitis, Dr. Jeff Brown can help eradicate the bacteria causing the disease and use dental implants to replace missing teeth. To schedule an appointment at Vero VIP Implants & Periodontics in Vero Beach, Florida, please call 772-569-9700 or click here to use our online form.