What is Periodontal (gum) disease and why should I care?
Periodontal disease is the #1 reason people lose their teeth and is one of the most common infections (often more prevalent than the common cold)! “Periodontal” means “around the tooth” (commonly referred to as gum disease) and is a progressive bacterial infection affecting the tissue and bone structures supporting a tooth. Not only does Periodontal Disease compromise your teeth, it also affects the general health of your body! It starts when an accumulation of plaque (a colony of bacteria, food debris, and saliva) is NOT removed from around the gums and teeth. The plaque turns into a mineralized deposit called calculus that cannot be removed by normal brushing. The bacteria in calculus produce toxins that irritate and infect the gums and eventually destroy the jaw bone and connective tissue that support teeth. When periodontal disease is not treated it can lead to tooth loss! When Periodontal Disease is detected, a deeper cleaning is needed to remove the calculus and prevent further i
