Periodontists specialize in gum and bone disease. There are two levels of infection: Gingivitis, and the more serious Periodontitis. Both diseases are caused by plaque (formed by bacteria) and tartar (a hardened form of plaque caused by the minerals in saliva) on the teeth.
Gingivitis is a bacterial inflammation of the gums, near the surface. Gingivitis is an uncomfortable disease that can result in swollen, painful gums which bleed and itch. Good oral hygiene, such as daily brushing and flossing and regular dental cleanings and exams, will help prevent against gingivitis, and with visits to the dentist and an improvement in oral hygiene, gingivitis will usually go away. But if gingivitis is not properly taken care of, it can become the more serious, periodontitis.
Periodontitis involves irreversible changes to the supporting structures of the teeth. It is associated with bone loss, pocketing around the teeth, and in severe cases loosening of the teeth and even tooth loss. Sometimes gums with periodontitis look normal because the inflammation is deep under the gums and not near the surface the way it is in gingivitis. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults.
Ask us how you can prevent from these infections before you start suffering from Gingivitis, and Peridontitis.