Periodontal Disease

OVERVIEW

Protect Your Gums, Teeth & Supporting Bone

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is an infection and inflammation affecting the tissues that support your teeth. It can begin with plaque and gingivitis and, if left untreated, may progress to damage of the gums, periodontal ligament, and bone supporting the teeth.

Early diagnosis and appropriate periodontal treatment can help control the disease, protect your natural teeth, and maintain long-term oral health.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease affects the structures surrounding and supporting the teeth, including the gums, periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone. The disease is commonly associated with bacteria in dental plaque. When plaque is not effectively removed, it can contribute to inflammation around the gums, which may progress deeper over time.

The Stages of Gum Disease

Stage 1 – Healthy Gums

Healthy gums are generally pink or naturally pigmented, firm, not swollen, and do not bleed during routine brushing. Maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dental examinations helps keep gums healthy.

Stage 2 – Gingivitis

An early form of gum inflammation. Signs include red or swollen gums, bleeding when brushing or flossing, bad breath, and tender gums. Supporting bone is typically not destroyed yet. With professional cleaning, it can often be controlled and reversed.

Stage 3 – Periodontitis

Progressed inflammation. Signs include deeper pockets, gum recession, persistent bad breath, sensitivity, loose teeth, changes in bite, and bone loss. Periodontitis is a chronic condition that requires professional management.

What Causes Periodontal Disease?

The primary contributing factor is bacterial plaque. Several factors can increase the risk:

  • Poor Oral Hygiene: Plaque accumulation allows harmful bacteria to remain.
  • Tartar: Hardened tartar creates a rough surface for more plaque.
  • Smoking: A major risk factor that impairs healing.
  • Diabetes: Poorly controlled diabetes increases susceptibility.
  • Genetics & Hormones: Can increase inflammation in some individuals.
  • Teeth Grinding & Crowding: Place stress on teeth or make plaque control difficult.

Signs & Symptoms

Periodontal disease does not always cause significant pain, which is why it can remain unnoticed. Watch for:

  • Bleeding, swollen, or red/darker gums
  • Persistent bad breath & Gum recession
  • Sensitive or loose teeth
  • Pus around the gums
  • Spaces developing between teeth or changes in bite

Healthy gums should not routinely bleed during brushing or flossing. Bleeding is an important warning sign.

TREATMENT PROCESS

Periodontal Disease Treatment

Treatment depends on severity. The objective is to: Control infection → Reduce inflammation → Protect supporting tissues → Maintain natural teeth.

01

Professional Dental Cleaning

For early gum inflammation (gingivitis), professional cleaning removes plaque, tartar, and surface deposits that are difficult to eliminate at home.

02

Scaling & Root Planing

For periodontitis, deeper cleaning removes bacterial deposits and tartar from below the gumline and smooths affected root surfaces, allowing gums to heal.

03

Periodontal Maintenance

Requires long-term management after active treatment, including gum examination, plaque/tartar removal, pocket monitoring, and hygiene review.

04

Periodontal Surgery

Advanced periodontitis may require surgery when deeper areas cannot be treated non-surgically, including pocket reduction or regenerative procedures.

05

Gum Grafting

If significant gum recession is present, a gum graft may cover exposed roots, reduce sensitivity, improve thickness, and protect vulnerable surfaces.

06

Bone Regeneration

For bone loss, regenerative treatment may be considered to encourage the restoration of supporting tissues based on the bone defect shape and location.

Important Information

Learn more about how periodontal disease impacts other dental conditions and treatments.

Periodontal Disease & Dental Implants

A history of periodontal disease can increase the risk of complications around implants if the disease is not properly controlled. Before implant treatment, your dentist will assess your gum health, bone volume, oral hygiene, and smoking status.

Gingivitis can often be reversed. However, periodontitis is different. The damage caused by advanced periodontal disease may not always be completely reversible, but appropriate treatment can often control the disease and slow further progression. Long-term maintenance is usually important.

Yes. Advanced periodontitis can destroy the bone and supporting tissues around teeth, making them mobile and potentially requiring extraction. Early diagnosis significantly improves the chances of maintaining natural teeth.

Persistent bad breath can be associated with the bacteria and inflammation of periodontal disease. As gums recede, tooth roots can become exposed, leading to sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweet foods.

Patients wearing braces may have additional difficulty controlling plaque, increasing the risk of gum inflammation. Healthy gums are an important foundation for successful orthodontic treatment.

Prevention & Care Routine

How to Prevent Periodontal Disease

  • Brush Twice a Day: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
  • Clean Between Teeth: Floss or use interdental brushes.
  • Remove Tartar Professionally: Required once plaque hardens.
  • Avoid Smoking: Significantly increases periodontal risk.
  • Manage Medical Conditions: Like diabetes.
  • Regular Dental Check-Ups: To detect problems early.

Your Daily Gum-Care Routine

  • Morning: Brush → Clean Between Teeth → Rinse
  • After Meals: Rinse → Remove Food Debris → Clean When Possible
  • Evening: Thorough Brushing → Interdental Cleaning → Gumline Check

Consistency is more important than using a complicated routine.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Common Questions

Periodontal Disease vs. Gingivitis

Gingivitis: Early stage, gum inflammation without significant bone loss, bleeding gums, usually reversible, professional cleaning may be sufficient.

Periodontitis: More advanced disease, inflammation with supporting tissue destruction and bone loss, bleeding may occur, requires long-term management and deep cleaning or surgery.

Not always. Periodontal disease can progress with few noticeable symptoms, which is why regular dental examinations are important.

Occasional bleeding should not be considered normal. Persistent bleeding can indicate gum inflammation and should be evaluated.

Tartar contributes to plaque retention and can make effective oral hygiene more difficult. Professional removal is important for maintaining gum health.

Yes. Advanced periodontal disease can destroy the tissues and bone supporting the teeth, resulting in mobility.

Active periodontal disease should generally be controlled before implant treatment. Your dentist will assess your periodontal health and implant suitability.

The appropriate interval varies according to disease severity and individual risk. Your periodontal team will recommend a personalized maintenance schedule.

PROTECT YOUR GUMS. PRESERVE YOUR SMILE.

Book a Periodontal Consultation

Periodontal disease can develop quietly, but early diagnosis can make a significant difference. With professional periodontal treatment, good daily oral hygiene, and long-term maintenance, it is possible to control gum disease and protect the natural teeth for as long as possible.

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