Chronic periodontal disease

Chronic periodontal disease is more than a disease of the mouth; it is a systemic disease. Good dental health affects not only how patients feel in the mouth but demonstrably plays an important part in overall health. Periodontitis is one of the most common dental conditions in the population. Estimates suggest that a large proportion of all adults over 30 have periodontitis to varying degrees, many without knowing it at first. Periodontitis is caused by bacteria that gather between tooth and gum. If this bacterial plaque is not removed by thorough cleaning with toothbrush and dental floss, it forms a hard, knobbly deposit known as tartar. Over time the gums become red, swollen and prone to bleeding. Left untreated, the inflammation can destroy the fibres that connect the teeth to the jawbone and subsequently lead to bone loss. Without fibres and bone the teeth begin to loosen and may be lost.