Learn the Four Steps from Plaque to Periodontitis – and How You Can Prevent Gum Disease
More than half of Americans suffer from some level of gum disease, but that disease is not developed overnight. Keep reading to learn how it starts with plaque and can turn into serious periodontitis. If you believe you might be dealing with gum disease, please contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 as soon as possible for a dental exam and cleaning.
- Plaque Develops
- Plaque Hardens into Tartar
- Plaque Causes Gingivitis
- Inflammation Leads to Periodontitis
Plaque is a sticky film that is largely made up of bacteria that form on teeth when starches and sugars interact with normal oral bacteria. When you brush and floss, you get rid of plaque, but it can reform quickly. This is why it’s important to brush not just once but twice per day because if you do not get rid of plaque quickly, it can turn into tartar.
When plaque is not effectively removed from the teeth, it can harden under the gumline into tartar. This stays on your teeth until it is removed by dental tools. The longer it stays on your teeth, the more damage it can do. Remember that tartar is essentially made up of bacteria, so you want to get rid of it as soon as possible.
The mildest form of gum disease is gingivitis, which is an irritation and inflammation of the gums around the base of the teeth. If gingivitis is found early, it can be cured with professional treatment and improved good oral home care. If it is not treated right away, then it can lead to a more serious form of gum disease.
The inflammation caused by gingivitis can result in periodontitis, which can then cause pockets to develop between the teeth and gums. These pockets can fill up with bacteria, plaque, and tartar. As time goes on, these pockets get deeper and deeper and become filled with bacteria. This is when treatment is absolutely necessary, or you can lose tissue and bone.
Are You Worried You Have Gum Disease?
If you are concerned that you have gum disease, then we strongly recommend you contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 as soon as possible. As you can see from this description of the progression, the sooner you reach out to us, the easier it will be to treat any developing gum disease you might have. In fact, if you start treatment during the gingivitis phase, it could be cured as easily as by improving your oral health habits.
