What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is an infection in the gum tissue caused by bacteria. Once the gums become inflamed they start to lose their grip on the teeth, causing pockets where even more bacteria can accumulate. Without treatment infections can spread, undermining both teeth and bone, with the result that teeth will loosen and eventually fall out.
The main issue with advanced gum disease is that in many cases you probably won’t even know you have it. That said, although symptoms are often mild and pain-free, there are tell-tale signs that could indicate that all is not right with your gums.
These include:
• Bad breath that isn’t related to what you’ve recently eaten
• Bleeding gums when flossing or brushing
• Tender, puffy, or discoloured gums
• Loose teeth