Do you have red, swollen or sensitive gums? Do you have constant bad breath? Have your gums slightly moved away from the teeth? Do your gums often bleed when brushing? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, there is a good changes that you have periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is the most common form of gum disease. It is caused by bacteria that reside in the oral cavity. Because the bacteria reproduce, plaque or tarter begins to form. If tarter is not cleaned regularly by your dentist, you develop gingivitis (swollen gums that bleed when you brush), and soon, this inflammation may extend to the bone under the gums (periodontal disease). If untreated it can cause tooth loss. Periodontal disease affects more than 80% of the population. Even more alarming is the fact that the vast majority of people are unaware they are showing the first signs of periodontal disease and visit their dentist only when the disease is already advanced. Periodontal disease is serious because it can be linked to health problems such as: cardiac and respiratory disease, low birth weight in newborn babies, heart attack, stroke, and osteoporosis.
