What is periodontal disease?

New research has given us a new understanding of periodontal disease.  Periodontal disease is an infectious and inflammatory disease caused by the bacteria in plaque.  There are approximately 300 different species of bacteria in your mouth.  As researchers continue to get a better understanding of this infectious disease, we will continue to modify and refine our treatment.  In almost every case, this disease is controllable.

Simply put, the plaque irritates the gum tissue.  The gum can actually detach itself from the tooth.  This gum can actually detach itself from the tooth.  This causes pockets to occur that become breeding grounds for even more bacteria.  Your body reacts to this increase in bacteria as it would to a cut on your hand.  It rushes blood to the area so that white blood cells can attack the infection.  Just like an infected cut on your hand, the area becomes red, swollen and sometimes tender.  This is why your gums will bleed and bleeding is not normal! In many people, if this process is not stopped, it will eventually affect the bone and increased mobility or loss of teeth may occur.

Your dental professional, along with your help, can control this disease.  First, the doctor must examine you to determine if your symptoms are due to periodontal disease.  This is done by visual examination, X-rays, and measuring the depth of the pockets.  If you have gum disease, the dental professional will schedule a series of appointments.  The scheduled procedures will remove as much of the bacterial plaque as possible.  This is necessary for your tissue to heal. While your dental professionals are doing their part, you can do your part at home.  This must be done to maintain control of the levels of bacteria in your mouth.

One thing you can do is brush and floss correctly.  Brushing and flossing should take about ten minutes and be done twice a day!  The doctor may prescribe fluorides or other medicaments for you to use.