The bacteria in dental plaque produce toxins that attack the gums and destroy tissue and bone that support your teeth. If left untreated, periodontitis leads to the loss of many of your natural teeth. Fortunately, with appropriate treatment the damage caused by the disease can be reversed.
Most people have some amount of periodontal disease in their mouths, but they don’t become a problem until there is an increase in harmful species and a change in the balance between them and the harmless varieties. This happens when you don’t brush or floss on a regular basis, and when you don’t get your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Infection and bacteria build up, forming a sticky residue called plaque that can’t be removed with toothbrushing or flossing.
Periodontal Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatments
Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. Your gums are red and swollen and may bleed when you brush or floss. The good news is that this stage of the disease is completely reversible. We can reduce the infection and help you to maintain your healthy gums with meticulous professional and home oral care and routine 3-month recare visits.
Mild periodontitis means the bacteria have seeped underneath your gums and started to eat away at the bones that support your teeth. This causes your gums to pull away from your teeth, creating pockets that fill with plaque and bacteria. Your teeth will start to become loose, and you may notice pus around the gum line. If left untreated, the bones that support your teeth will continue to erode, and you will lose more and more of your teeth.