Healthy gums fit tightly around each tooth - attaching to the tooth root just below the dental enamel. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an infection of bacteria which attacks the tissues and bone supporting the teeth. At West 10th Dental Group, part of your regular dental examination will be an assessment for periodontal disease.

Pain is not a good indicator of advanced gum disease. Often patients have no pain, but are left with devastating results from not treating the disease early enough.

Periodontal disease is classified in two major stages, gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gingivitis causes gums to become red, swollen and bleed easily. There may be little to no pain with gingivits. Bleeding with brushing or flossing is a common finding. Luckily, gingivitis is a reversible condition with professional treatment and good oral hygiene at home.

More advanced periodontal disease is called periodontitis. Patients with this disease may experience progressive loss of gum and bone tissue around the teeth. Depending on the severity of the disease treatment can be as simple as a detailed removal of plaque and tarter from the teeth or as involved as requiring specialty care from a periodontist. If the periodontal disease is too far advanced, the teeth may need to be removed (or fall out on their own).

Research also suggests links between periodontal diseases and other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, prenatal and neonatal problems, and bacterial pneumonia.

With early detection of utmost importance, we at West 10th Dental Group will do all we can to help prevent the loss of dental and general health that can occur from periodontal disease!

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