What is periodonal (Gum) disease?
Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, is the cause of about 70 percent of adult tooth loss; affecting three out of four persons at some point in life. The main cause of gum disease is bacterial plaque, a soft, sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on our teeth. If plaque is not removed, it hardens into a rough, porous deposit called calculus, or tartar. Toxins (or poisons) produced by the bacteria living in plaque irritate the gums and can make them red, tender, swollen and more likely to bleed easily. As gum disease progresses, the toxins can lead to destruction of the bone and soft tissues that support the teeth, forming pockets that fill with more bacteria, toxins, and tartar. Unless gum disease is diagnosed and treated, the bone loss will continue to progress, until the teeth become loose and eventually are lost. Thorough removal of soft plaque by brushing & flossing, and professional “cleanings” to remove soft plaque and hard tartar deposits below the gumline, c
