Periodontitis means “inflammation around the tooth” and therefore refers to all inflammatory diseases affecting the gum tissue that support the teeth.  To make this term more useful for discussion, it is customarily broken down into three “stages” which reflect the seriousness, or severity of the condition. 

These stage designations are also useful because each has its own particular treatment option.

In this panograhic X Ray, deep pocketing can be seen in both lower rear molar regions
This patient has Stage III Periodontitis in those areas

Stage I Periodontitis
Commonly called gingivitis, which is a minor inflammation of the gums caused by tartar formations at the gum-tooth margin.  Periodontal pockets measure less than 3mm. 

Gingivitis is fairly simple to treat.  Improvement in brushing techniques, use of floss or interdental brush during the day and the addition of Periogen® to your dental hygiene regimen is enough to control gingivitis.
 
If tartar is not removed and kept off of the gum tooth margin, tartar can spread below the gum tooth margin, opening up periodontal pockets and bringing on Stage II Periodontitis.

Stage II Periodontitis
Referred to here as Moderate Gum Disease, this level of periodontitis is exemplified by chronic bad breath, bleeding gums, infectious discharge, swollen gums, canker sores and receding gums. Periodontal probing reveals pocket depths as great as 6mm.

Moderate gum disease is serious, but can be addressed at home by dissolving tartar with Periogen® delivered via a WaterPik Ultra oral irrigator with a PikPocket irrigating tip.  The PikPocket tip is specially designed to release a pulse jet of water that will reach up to 6mm deep pockets.

If tartar is not removed at the 6mm level, the most serious stage of periodontitis can result.

Stage III Periodontitis
Referred to as Advanced Periodontal Disease, this stage of periodontitis is the level of tooth loss. 

Sharing all the symptoms of Stage II Periodontitis, deep tartar has grown below 6mm, seriously undermining the foundation of teeth. Teeth may be loose at this point, and in danger of simply falling out.

The body takes this level of periodontal disease seriously, and in a process known as “host response,” an exaggerated immune system response to infection begins to eject diseased teeth for the sake of the rest of the body.

There is a way back from this serious condition.  Once again, all tartar must be removed.  Using a 12mm deep pocket applicator, Periogen® can reach the deepest of periodontal pockets. 

In the days and weeks after beginning to use Periogen®, the dissolution of tartar will control bacteria and host response will diminish.  Gums will clear up and loose teeth will settle back in as best as possible depending on the level of bone loss.