Periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults.  What are the symptoms?

• Breath odor
• Gums appear bright red or red purple
• Gums bleed easily
• Swollen gums
• Loose teeth

Periodontitis occurs when inflammation or infection of the gum (GINGIVITIS) is untreated or periodontal treatment is delayed.

What is GINGIVITIS actually?

Gingivitis is mild inflammation of the gums due to plaque build-up.  If you do not removed plaque it will turn into hard deposit (stone) called tartar.  Toxin from bacteria cause the gums become infected, swollen and tender.

Plaque and tartar accumulate at the base of the health.  Inflammation causes a ‘pocket’ to develop between gums and teeth. Continued infection and inflammation spreads from the gums to the ligaments and bone that support the teeth.  At this stage gum recedes further.  Loss of support causes the teeth to become loose and eventually fall out.  Because plaque contains bacteria, infection is likely and tooth abscess may also develop.

Treatment:

The goal is to reduce infection and inflammation.  How are we going to achieve that?

• Dentist or dental hygienist will clean the teeth thoroughly.  This treatment is called SCALING.
• Careful oral hygiene is necessary after professional tooth cleaning.  In addition to tooth brushing and flossing, antibacterial mouth may be recommended.
• Must maintain strict oral hygiene for your whole life because if not gingivitis will recur.

So, why wait.  Don’t delay treatment (scaling) before it’s too late to save the teeth.