What is it?
Periodontal disease affects the gums and bone supporting your teeth. It is caused by sticky plaque and hard deposits of tartar. It usually happens when the teeth and gums are not kept clean enough. If you have very bad gum disease, you may have inherited it or you may have a problem with your general health which needs to be investigated.
Thorough brushing can remove sticky plaque. Scaling and polishing can remove hard tartar. Without regular cleaning, the gum will come away from the tooth, making pockets around the teeth where food and plaque can collect. Pockets are more difficult to keep clean so gum disease will usually get worse if nothing is done.
Gum disease has two stages.
· It starts with inflammation — redness and swelling. Dentists call this gingivitis. It can be cured with good oral hygiene.
· The next stage is called chronic periodontitis. Some of the bone that supports the teeth is lost and the teeth become loose until they eventually have to be taken out. Periodontitis cannot be reversed once it starts but it doesn’t have to get worse if you clean your teeth properly and have regular root planing from your dentist or hygienist.
