Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease
Welcome to our Dental Hygiene Section. We hope to be able to provide you with a wide variety of information that will assist you in maintaining your oral health. If you have any questions please feel free to either give me a call or talk with me at your next recall visit.
Dr Anne Magner. DDS MS
- Gums that bleed easily.
- Red, swollen or tender gums.
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth.
- Pus between the teeth and gums when the gums are pressed.
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste.
- Permanent teeth that are loose or separating.
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.
- Any changes in the fit of your partial dentures.
What Causes Periodontal Disease? Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that clings to teeth and gums. Even if you brush and clean between your teeth daily, you may not completely remove this sticky substance, especially around the gumline. The bacteria in this plaque create toxins (poisons) that injure the gums and bone beneath the gum. Over time, these toxins can destroy gum and bone leading to bone loss, tooth mobility and eventually, if not treated definitively, tooth loss. Plaque that is not removed every 24 - 48 hours hardens into a rough, porous deposit called Calculus (tartar). Once tartar develops only the dentist or dental hygienist can remove it. This tartar builds up under the gumline making it difficult to reach and even more difficult to remove. The continued buildup of tartar (calculus) leads to inflammation, infection and once again, eventually can result in bone loss. |
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Stages of Periodontal Disease