

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth that can only be diagnosed by dental professionals. The infection is caused by bacteria that live in dental plaque in and around the gum line in pockets that line the teeth. Even though it is often painless and may have few if any visible symptoms, if left untreated, periodontal disease frequently results in the loss of teeth. People who smoke are particularly vulnerable to periodontal disease.
The best treatment is actually to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place. With proper oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing most types of periodontal disease can be prevented. However, once the disease is present and has progressed, additional professional treatment may be needed to stop the disease progression. In general, these treatments are often aimed at reducing the depth of the pockets that form around the teeth where the bacteria can live and prosper.
Reducing the pockets where the bacteria live make it easier to effectively clean and take care of your teeth. Additionally, new research is showing that many other systemic conditions including heart disease may be influenced by your periodontal health. For more information on this, please see the following report by the American Journal of Cardiology and Journal of Periodontology and click the image below to see our “Oral Systemic Health Issues” video.
Oral Systemic Health Issues![]() |
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Diagnosing Periodontal Disease![]() |
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