Periodontal disease is caused by a bacterial infection which starts in the pocket or space between your teeth and you gums. Without treatment, this infection commonly spreads into the periodontal ligament surrounding the teeth and then to the bone supporting the teeth, eventually leading to tooth loss. This disease process is chronic and may have periods of more aggressive deterioration. More importantly, periodontal disease has been linked to many systemic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, respiratory diseases, pancreatic cancer, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, still birth, low birth rate babies, premature delivery and the list continues to grow. Due to these health risks we no longer feel comfortable leaving periodontal disease untreated.
Although proper daily oral hygiene is a “must”, it is often not enough to keep our mouth healthy. There are many contributing factors to our susceptibility to dental disease. Changes to your dental anatomy such ass bone loss and tissue recession can inhibit your ability to achieve thorough removal of bacterial plaque at home. Genetics, your immune response, systemic diseases and medications can also play a large role in our vulnerability to disease
Symptoms of periodontal disease can include:
- Red/swollen gums
- Constant bad breath
- Tender/bleeding gums during brushing and chewing
- Receding gums
- Pus coming from the gum line
- Painful chewing
- Loose teeth
- Teeth feel like they no longer fit together properly