The Stages of Gum Disease

If you want to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, then you need to practice a proper oral hygiene routine on a daily basis, you’re already headed down the road toward gum disease. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three that you need to be aware of. You should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center twice a year to avoid them.  

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If you experience gum inflammation, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about other services we provide at our practice, visit www.fairwooddental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center here in Renton, WA, call 425-271-7725.

Don’t Be Tortured By Tartar

It’s no secret that we need to brush and floss our teeth on a daily basis to keep our gums healthy and our teeth clean. The reason we do this is to prevent dental plaque – a sticky film that is left behind after we eat foods that are high in carbohydrates. Plaque is bad news, because it coats your teeth, gets under your gum line, and is the leading cause of gum disease. If left untreated, these bacteria can turn into tartar, which only our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center will be able to remove.

Tartar is plaque that has hardened on your teeth. It gives plaque more surface area on which to grow and a much stickier surface to adhere, which can lead to more serious conditions, such as cavities and gum disease. Not only can tartar threaten the health of your teeth and gums, it is also a cosmetic problem. The most common sign of tartar buildup is a yellow or brown deposit between the lower front teeth or at the gum line. Once tartar has formed, only your dentist or hygienist can remove it through a process called scaling. During a scaling, the dentist or hygienist uses special instruments to remove the deposit from your teeth above and below the gum line.

If you have tartar buildup on your teeth and are due for a dental checkup, please give us a call. To learn more about the services provided at the practice, visit www.fairwooddental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, call 425-271-7725.