Periodontal Disease!

The Scientific definition of the Diease:

Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. Your gum tissue is not attached to the teeth as high as it might seem. There is a very shallow v-shaped crevice called a sulcus between the tooth and gums. Periodontal diseases attack just below the gum line in the sulcus, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. As the tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket: generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket.

What it really means to you:

Periodontal disease is an infection in your gum tissue. Your teeth are held in place by two things; (1) jaw bone (2) gums. When infection occurs below the surface of your mouth (below the gums) you cant always see the damage right away. Slowly this infection causes your jaw bone to desolve. Once the bone begins to shrink the gum tissue will also begin to recede until more and more of your teeth are exposed (whats normally covered by your gums) Without treatment you will eventually lose enough bone that your teeth will literally loosen and fall out ! Your dentist will check the depth of each pocket (gum tissue around each tooth) to determine how advanced your condition is. In the early stages this disease can be drastically slowed with regular cleanings, special root planning procedures and better home care! If you wait to long there surgery can help but once the damage is done, it's not reversable! Getting a cleaning today to have healthy teeth tommorrow!