Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease of the gingival tissues caused by certain bacteria that are normally in the mouth. These bacteria associated with periodontal disease have also been linked to other significant diseases, which included atherosclerosis (heart disease), arthritis, increased risk of diabetes and miscarriages, to name only a few. It can be controlled but, as with many diseases, if it is not diagnosed and treated in the earlier stages it can lead to significant problems.

The bacteria that lead to periodontal disease cannot be eliminated from the mouth but are controlled by cleaning your teeth well. If the bacteria remain on your teeth near the gum line for a period time they eventually produce toxins that initiate the inflammatory response and tissue breakdown leading to loss of bone support and eventual loss of teeth. It has been verified that thorough cleaning to remove the bacteria from the gum line prevents them from organizing and forming the toxins. Since the bacteria can organize and form these toxins within a few days of collecting on your teeth, the appropriate treatment is to brush and floss (or use other recommended cleaning tools between your teeth) on a daily basis to prevent the bacteria from forming these chemicals.

When periodontal disease is more advanced with deep pockets that cannot be cleaned with daily care, professional treatment is needed to bring it under control.

There are a number of factors that influence susceptibility and progression of periodontal disease. These include inherited characteristics, bite problems, smoking and other health factors.