What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease (also known as periodontal infection, gum disease or pyorrhea) is an ongoing infection in the gums around your teeth. The cause of periodontal disease is infectious bacteria which gets deep into your gums. This infection starts destroying the bone that supports your teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss. For more information, please see the section on Periodontal Disease under Patient Education.
Periodontal disease (sometimes referred to as gum disease) is an inflammation and/or infection of the supporting structures for the teeth. These supporting structures include the gums, bone, ligaments, and root surfaces. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. Symptoms may include bleeding gums, a bad taste in your mouth, or gums that appear red and/or swollen. Some people don’t notice any of these symptoms but still have periodontal disease. This is one reason that it is very important to have both your teeth AND your supporting structures regularly checked by a dentist. A periodontal examination and probing are essential tools in assessing the health of your teeth and their supporting structures.
