Why should you avoid periodontal (gum) disease?
Periodontal disease is a serious infection that can lead to tooth loss. It is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and the bone supporting the teeth. This disease can affect one tooth or many teeth and develops when the bacteria in plaque causes the gums to become inflamed.
Gingivitis is usually the first sign that you are having problems in maintaining an effective oral hygiene routine. Your gums may be red and swollen and they will bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort with gingivitis but it is reversible with professional treatment and effective at home care.
Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque will irritate the gums. The body reacts with an inflammatory response causing the tissues and bone to be broken down and destroyed.
Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.
Periodontal surgery may be recommended if the tissue around your teeth is unhealthy and cannot be repaired.