Our team just returned from a Periodontal Disease Seminar in Atlanta

About Periodontal Disease

“A person is not healthy without good oral hygiene.”
– C. Everett Koop, M.D., Former U.S. Surgeon General

Periodontal disease is an infection of the supporting tissues of the teeth. Periodontitis, commonly referred to as gum disease or perio, always begins as inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), and then proceeds to the destructive stage of periodontitis.

• Gingivitis: Symptoms may present as swollen, sore gums, which may be red or puffy and may bleed while brushing. This stage is reversible.
  
• Periodontitis: Gums begin to detach from the teeth causing pockets, or spaces, around the teeth, as the plaque advances along the root. The body’s immune system initiates a chemical reaction that causes the destruction of the periodontal attachment to the teeth, and eventually destroys the bone supporting the teeth.

Good oral health is crucial for good overall health.