Gum Disease

Periodontics is a discipline of dentistry that treats gum disease or periodontal disease. This is a disease process that involves chronic inflammation and infection of the gums and surrounding tissue.

Periodontal disease is known to result in the destruction of the hard and soft tissues that support teeth. It is the major cause of about 70 percent of adult tooth loss, affecting three out of four persons at some point in their life.

Periodontal disease is caused by certain types of bacteria (germs) that normally grow in the mouth. These bacteria organize to form a biofilm called plaque that collects at the tooth gum margins as an invisible sticky film.

With poor care of the teeth, the biofilm will grow and begin to penetrate below the tooth gum margins causing damage to the underlying bone.

Risk factors for periodontal disease includes, poor dental care, smoking, hormonal changes in female (puberty and pregnancy), diabetes, stress, poor nutrition, medications, illnesses and genetic susceptibility.

Our dentists at Inspire Dental Studio can diagnose periodontal disease. Treatment for gum disease can be surgical or non-surgical in nature.

It is best to find out whether you have gum disease as soon as possible as treatment and success of treatment is easier in the earlier stages of the disease.