• eriodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. 75 percent of Americans over the age of 35 have some form of periodontal disease, but the majority does not realize it. If you have periodontal disease, you may be experiencing persistent bad breath, bleeding of the gums when brushing or flossing, soft, swollen, or tender gums, gums pulling away from the teeth or loose teeth. You may also 

notice inflammation of the gums between the teeth. This is where periodontal disease usually starts.

The main cause of periodontal disease is the accumulation of plaque, the sticky film of food and bacteria that forms constantly on your teeth. If the plaque is not removed everyday, the bacteria in plaque invade the spaces between the teeth and gums and begin producing toxins. These toxins, combined with your body’s reaction to them, destroy the bone around your teeth. And once bone has been lost, it never grows back on its own. When too much bone is lost, there’s so little support for the teeth, they get loose and have to be removed.

Early detection is the key to successful treatment. Gentle Dental Service will routinely perform a gum-disease-screening exam. This is recommended at least once per year by the American Dental Association. The results of this exam will determine your periodontal status. If you have periodontal disease your treatment will be personalized for you and your level of infection. With on-going monitoring and treatment, a recurrence of periodontal disease can be avoided. Daily care and professional maintenance visits are a commitment to better health.