Gum disease is primarily caused by bacterial plaque, a thin film of food remnants and bacteria that builds up on tooth surfaces when oral hygiene is inadequate or inefficient.
The only way to stop gum disease is to remove bacterial plaque and calculus
Periodontal (gum) disease can be a very aggressive infection: Left untreated, it can destroy the vital periodontal structures that protect teeth and maintain their attachment to the jaw. The end result—tooth loss—harms both your health and appearance.
Gum disease can be asymptomatic and painless. there are many symptoms of gum disease like: Bleeding, tender, swollen, or red gums, Abscesses (pus oozing from the gums), Loose teeth, Pain, Foul odor / halitosis
Plaque, which begins forming on teeth within as little as four hours after brushing, is the primary factor in gum disease. Plaque contains bacteria that attack gums and release toxins that inflame the soft tissues of the mouth. Plaque that is not removed by brushing and flossing hardens into tartar (calculus), a crusty deposit that can only be removed by a dentist.
If you experience any of these symptoms, please visit us for an exam. If early-stage gum disease is detected, simple treatment can prevent the condition from progressing.
Depending on the stage of the disease, gum disease treatment can take various forms. At our practice , we treat early-stage gum disease by educating the patient on proper oral hygiene and plaque removal. Our dentist may also perform scaling and root planing, a technique for cleaning the tooth structure and removing plaque and tartar from the gum pockets.
