Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a bacterial infection of
the gums, bone and periodontal ligament (attachment fibers that
support the teeth and hold them in the jaw.) Periodontal disease is
usually painless and silent until its advanced stages.
If left untreated, symptoms can include:
- Persistent bad breath
- Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
- Red, swollen and tender gums
- Gums that have pulled away from teeth
- Pus between the gum and tooth
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
(occlusion)
- Loose teeth
Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are
almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease than
those without periodontal disease. Periodontal disease also
has been linked to other significant health problems, including:
respiratory disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and premature and
underweight births.
It is important to closely monitor periodontal disease
at regular hygiene visits, which is why we
may recommend that our patients with periodontal disease have
more than two visits a year.
