Maureen Scaccianoce - RDH

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 Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease

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• 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.

 Stages of Periodontal Disease

                            Healthy Gums          Healthy Gums                  Gingivitis

                                       Moderate Periodontitis    Severe Periodontitis

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2. Click Here to Download or Read our Soft Tissue   Management Brochure

3. Click Here to Download or Read What is Periodontal Disease

For more information be sure to go to our Dental Library. Click Here.

• American Academy of Periodontology
• American Dental Hygiene Society
• American Dental Society
• Periodontal Disease and Heart Disease
• Periodontal Disease and a Healthy Pregnancy
• Periodontal Disease and Smoking