Periodontal disease can be a very serious condition that occurs in a majority of adults in America. It is important to continuously screen for the presence of periodontal disease by recording findings at every dental visit and monitor periodontal therapy and home care. It is also advisable to have bacteriological assays performed in areas of persistent disease despite ongoing therapy to identify the specific species of bacteria present.
Most tooth loss is due to periodontal disease, and most people do not realize they have the disease until it becomes noticeable to them. At this point, it may be very difficult to treat. Some of the signs of gum disease include swollen, bleeding gums, gum recession, heavy accumulation of tarter on the teeth, foul breath and tooth mobility.
Gum disease and tooth decay are both bacterial infections. The bacteria colonize the surface of teeth, etching the enamel or root surface to enable them to adhere better to that surface and produce waste as they quickly multiply. These processes cause the plaque that is formed when teeth are not brushed for a significant period of time. Some people describe a “fuzzy sweater” coating over the surface of teeth, gums, and tongue. In periodontal disease, not removing these bacteria for several hours or days allows the plaque to become so thick that it triggers an immune response in the gums: blood vessels are formed near the surface of the gums (bleeding) to bring important immune cells (inflammation) to fight the bacterial infection.
The process of your immune system trying to fight an enemy, bacteria, that is not actually inside the body, it is sitting on the surface of your teeth and gums, this is what causes the damage to the gums, swelling and bleeding, and eventually, the bone, if left long enough. Once lost, the bone can never be replaced. The best outcome of therapy at this point is to stop the process of destruction, remove the bacteria and maintain the bone and gingival levels.