What is Periodontal / Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, has been a frequent topic in the media lately. This is not, however, a new problem in oral health. In fact, gum disease is and has been the leading cause of tooth loss over the age of 45. It is so common that 80% of the adult population has some form of gum disease. One of the difficulties in treating the disease is that it is usually painless until the later stages of its development. That is why early detection and treatment is very important in stopping the disease process. Gum disease is an infection of the supporting structures of the teeth. These structures include the soft tissues, the periodontal ligament and the bone that helps hold teeth in place. This infection is caused by bacteria which can colonize in the space that exists between the teeth and the surrounding gum tissue. In early stages of the disease, the gums become swollen and bleed easily; this is called gingivitis. As the disease process begins to advance, it begins to
