Periodontal (Gum) Disease

Periodontal (gum) disease is insidious. It is an infection of the gums that starts out as plaque, an opaque film on the teeth that hardens to form tartar. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria that attack the soft tissue around the gums. This is the early stage of gum disease known as Gingivitis. Left untreated, Gingivitis becomes Periodontitis which ultimately destroys the tissue surrounding your teeth AND the bone that holds your teeth in place. Except for bad breath and gums that bleed, there are very few early warning signals. The disease advances silently, often without pain, and before you know it, you are losing your teeth and you don’t know why.

Tooth loss is only the most obvious indicator of gum disease. Scientific research has discovered linkage between gum disease and stroke, heart disease, diabetes – even an increased risk of miscarriage for pregnant women. When your gums become diseased, your entire immune system is weakened.

In the past, fear of painful dental surgery and lack of insurance coverage for periodontal therapy has kept people with gum disease from seeking the care they needed. New technology has made periodontal therpay much more comfortable than in the past, and insurance companies are now understanding the link between periodontal disease and other health conditions and have in turn, structured their plans to include coverage for periodontal therapy.