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.