Gum disease or periodontal disease is a chronic inflammation and infection of the gums and surrounding tissue. It is the major cause of about 70% of adult tooth loss, affecting three out of four persons at some point in their life.
Bacterial plaque is the primary cause of gum disease. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it hardens into a rough, porous substance called calculus (also known as tartar). Toxins produced and released by bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. These toxins cause the breakdown of the fibers that hold the gums tightly to the teeth, creating periodontal pockets that fill with even more toxins and bacteria. As the disease progresses, pockets extend deeper and the bacteria moves down until the bone it destroys holds the tooth in place. The tooth eventually will fall out or require extraction.
In the early stages, most treatment involves removing plaque and calculus around the tooth and smoothing the root surfaces. More advanced cases may require surgical treatment, which involves cutting the gums, and removing the hardened plaque build-up and recontouring the damaged bone.
