What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, more commonly referred to as gum disease, it is a bacterial infection caused by a build-up of plaque. If left untreated, gum disease can eat away at your gum tissue. When you gum tissue is weakened and infected, it can no longer support your teeth. Gum disease can be painless, so many people affected by this disease don’t know they have it. If you see us regularly, we can detect gum disease with a keen trained eye, and treat it before it becomes a serious problem.

2 Stages of Gum Disease

There are two stages to gum disease – gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gingivitis
This is the early stage of gum disease. If you see us regularly, and we catch it at this stage, it is completely treatable.

Signs of gingivitis include:

• Red gums
• Swollen gums
• Gums that bleed easily

Periodontitis
This is the more advanced stage of gum disease. The disease progresses if you leave it unchecked. In this stage, the gum tissue and bone become more and more damaged. Bacteria and toxins are able to damage your teeth easily. If left untreated, this stage of gum disease can lead to tooth loss.

Come In For Check Ups

The best way to prevent gum disease is to have good oral hygiene routine. If you brush and floss daily, the chances of you getting gum disease are much lower. Another way to prevent the disease from progressing is to schedule routine visits to our office. We can tell if your gums or healthy or not, and can help treat the disease if you are affected by it.