Periodontal Disease
Protecting the gums and bone that support your teeth.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontitis is a set of inflammatory diseases affecting the periodontium — the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Periodontal disease involves progressive loss of the bone around the teeth and, if left untreated, can lead to the loosening and eventual loss of teeth.
Periodontitis is caused by microorganisms that adhere to and grow on the tooth’s surfaces, along with an overly aggressive immune response against these microorganisms.
How it’s diagnosed
A diagnosis of periodontitis is made by inspecting the soft gum tissues around the teeth with a probe (a clinical exam) and by evaluating x-rays (a radiographic exam) to determine the amount of bone loss around the teeth.
Prevention starts at home
Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum disease than to cavities. Thorough daily brushing and flossing removes the plaque that causes periodontal disease. See our oral hygiene tips.