Periodontal (gum) disease is insidious. It is an infection of the
gums that starts out as plaque, an opaque film on the teeth that
hardens to form tartar. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria
that attack the soft tissue around the gums. This is the early
stage of gum disease known as Gingivitis. Left untreated,
Gingivitis becomes Periodontitis which ultimately destroys the
tissue surrounding your teeth AND the bone that holds your teeth in
place. Except for bad breath and gums that bleed, there are very
few early warning signals. The disease advances silently, often
without pain, and before you know it, you are losing your teeth and
you don't know why.
Tooth loss is only the most obvious indicator of gum disease.
Scientific research has discovered linkage between gum disease and
stroke, heart disease, diabetes - even an increased risk for
pregnant women. When your gums become diseased, your entire immune
system is weakened.
In the past, fear of painful dental surgery has kept people with
gum disease from seeking the care they needed. Well, those days are
gone forever.