If your dentist has told you that you're at risk for gum disease, you owe it to yourself to take the situation seriously. If treated quickly, you can prevent further damage to your gums, your teeth, and your health. One way to prevent further damage is to brush and floss your teeth several times a day. It's also important that you see your dentist twice a year for routine dental care. With proper treatment, you can avoid the more progressive forms of gum disease, which are described below. 

Chronic Gingivitis

If you haven't kept up on your dental hygiene, you might experience an increase in the severity of your gingivitis. At this stage, your gingivitis will become chronic. With chronic gingivitis, you'll notice that your gums become more red and inflamed. You'll also notice that your gums bleed when you brush or floss. They may also bleed while you're chewing. If not treated quickly, your gums may begin to recede. At that point, you'll be heading into the stages of periodontitis. 

Aggressive Periodontitis

Once you enter the stage known as aggressive periodontitis, your gums will experience rapid changes. This is the stage where your gums will detach from your teeth. You'll also begin to experience bone loss during this stage. You may also notice that more than one tooth is involved, which means that the periodontitis is spreading throughout your mouth. If the condition continues, you may notice that some of your teeth have become loose. If not treated properly, you could experience tooth loss. 

Chronic Periodontitis

If you haven't begun treatment for your gum disease by this point, you may find that your condition continues to deteriorate. If that happens, you could develop chronic periodontitis. With chronic periodontitis, you'll notice an increase in symptoms. Some of those symptoms include pus between your teeth and gums, bad breath, and gums that are tender to the touch. You may also notice an increase in loose teeth. You may even lose a few teeth during this stage. 

Necrotizing Periodontal Disease

If you've reached this stage, and you haven't begun treatment with a dentist, you could develop necrotizing periodontal disease. This disease is the most severe form of gum disease. Necrotizing periodontal disease is an infection that's caused by the death of healthy gum tissue. During this stage, your gums will become painful, which means you may need to have pain medication prescribed. You may also need to take an oral antibiotic to fight the infection. 

Don't take chances with your dental health. If you're experiencing any of the symptoms described here, it's important that you seek dental care right away. They can provide information regarding periodontal disease treatment.