Stages of Periodontal Disease

The daily monotonous task of brushing and flossing your teeth has never been more important in order to avoid periodontal disease and reduce the risks periodontal disease places on your overall health.

It has been estimated that 75% of Americans have some form of periodontal disease which can be linked to serious health complications and causes dental problems that are avoidable.

There are three main stages of gum disease

Stage 1: Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of periodontal disease and is caused by plaque buildup around the gum line which causes inflammation of the gums. If you neglect to brush or floss your teeth daily, this plaque buildup will trap bacteria and cause periodontal disease. Gingivitis causes inflammation of the gums. Gums that should otherwise be pink will appear red and swollen; you could experience bleeding gums when you brush or floss. However, at this point, gingivitis can still be reversed. The bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place have not yet been affected.

Stage 2: Periodontitis

If gingivitis is left untreated, the condition will become periodontitis. At this stage, the supporting bones and fibers that hold your teeth in place have been irreversibly damaged. Your gums begin to form “pockets,” deep hollow areas around the teeth that trap food, plaque, and bacteria. Your gums will recede and form gaps between your teeth. Immediate gum disease treatment is necessary to prevent further damage and tooth loss.

​​​​​​​Stage 3: Advanced Periodontitis

In this final stage of periodontal disease, periodontitis has been left untreated and has become advanced periodontitis. Bacteria that was allowed to grow, spread, and cause destruction has destroyed the connective tissues and bones that support the teeth. The pockets that formed in the previous stage have become much deeper. Your teeth can shift or loosen. Loose teeth that move around in the mouth may affect your bite. At this state, aggressive gum disease treatment is needed to save the teeth.

Our gum disease patients come to us from all over New York City, including Canarsie, Mill Basin, Marine Park, Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst and surrounding locations in Brooklyn, NY.