Gum Disease Therapy

What causes periodontal disease? Healthy gum tissue fits tightly around a tooth like a shirt cuff fits around your wrist. When someone has periodontal disease (also called gum disease), the gum tissue pulls away from the tooth. Periodontal disease is inflammation of the gums. It is a common disease that affects people of all ages. There are many types of periodontal diseases. If not treated, the disease progresses and the tissue and bone that support the tooth are destroyed. Over time, teeth may fall out or need to be removed. Periodontal diseases are caused by plaque, a sticky film that is always forming on your teeth. Plaque gives a home to bacteria that produce harmful toxins. If teeth are not cleaned well, the toxins can irritate and inflame the gums. Inflamed gum tissues can pull away from the teeth and form spaces called pockets. The pockets provide a home for more bacteria. If the infected pockets are not treated, the disease can get worse. The bone and other tissues that support teeth are permanently damaged. Plaque can be removed if you brush and clean between your teeth every day. But even if you brush and floss daily, you may not remove all the plaque, especially around the gum line. Plaque can harden into a rough surface called tartar. The only way to remove tartar is with a professional dental cleaning.