Periodontal Disease

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the teeth, gums and bone. It’s caused by plaque, the sticky film of food and bacteria that forms constantly on your teeth. You may have gum disease, and not even know it, because it’s rarely painful in its early stages.

How does it affect my teeth?

If plaque isn’t removed each day, it hardens to become tartar, and only a professional cleaning will remove it. If it’s not removed, tartar invades the root surfaces of your teeth. Here, harmful bacteria thrive and cause toxins to form, destroying gum and bone tissue.

What are the symptoms?

If bone tissue is destroyed, your teeth can loosen. So let us know if you have persistent bad breath, if your gums are swollen, soft or tender, or if they bleed when you brush or floss. If we diagnose gum disease early, we can stop the destruction and save your teeth.