About Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that destroys the supporting fibers of gum and the bone around the teeth. The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. Daily oral home care, including brushing and flossing, is needed to remove plaque.

If the plaque is not removed, it turns into a hard substance referred to as tartar, or calculus, in as little as two days. Calculus is so hard that it cannot be brushed or flossed off completely. Once calculus forms, the bacteria can migrate below the gums where it produces toxins that irritate the gums and cause infection. These toxins destroy the supporting tissues around the teeth, including the bone.

Stages of Periodontal Disease
Healthy Gums Healthy gums are firm and pink.	Gingivitis This is the earliest stage of gum disease. The gums are red, swollen and bleed easily.	Mild Periodontitis The gums begin to separate from the teeth	Moderate Periodontitis Deeper pockets form, as more bone and tissue are lost	Severe Periodontitis Teeth may become loose because a large amount of bone and tissue have been lost.

The Leading Cause of Adult Tooth Loss
One of the major reasons periodontal disease is so prevalent is that it is usually painless until advanced stages. The warning signs, such as bad breath; red, swollen and bleeding gums; and loose teeth are signs of moderate to advanced periodontal disease.  Left untreated, periodontal disease will eventually lead to tooth loss. In fact, periodontal disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss.

Despite the amount of people with periodontal disease, most believe they do not have it. In a recent survey, eight out of ten Americans did not feel they had gum problems, but seven out of ten did, in fact, have periodontal disease.

Don’t Wait Until it Hurts!
No one likes to go to the doctor if “they don’t have to”, and we have all been conditioned to the concept of “if it doesn’t hurt, it can’t be that bad”, but in this case it CAN! See your dentist regularly and, if informed of any gum problems, do something about it before it gets out of hand. The earlier the treatment, the easier it is.