Do you know that the major cause of tooth loss in adults is not tooth decay, but rather, periodontal disease? It is estimated that over 70% of adults in the US have at least some degree of periodontal disease. This is a chronic infection that attacks and destroys the gums and bones that support the teeth, and it can be controlled but not cured.
As plaque (the culprit that decays your tooth's enamel) and the hardened form of plaque, tartar (or calculus) build up on our teeth, they also collect in the spaces between our teeth and gums. This is where periodontal problems begin, and requires routine professional hygiene visits to clear these pockets of harmful buildup and bacteria. If the condition is not treated routinely, the buildup works farther down below the gum line and causes puffiness and bleeding, called gingivitis, and is the first stage of periodontal disease. If these warning signs are ignored, the infection proceeds further under the gum line causing gum recession and bone loss. In this case, more aggressive treatment is indicated to remove the buildup, and unfortunately sometimes requires surgery to either remove the infection and/or deal with bone loss or bone deformities resulting from the infection.
This condition requires diligent and aggressive home care as well, in order to control and minimize the possibility of tooth loss. Again, early detection and treatment is key to avoiding the ravages of periodontal disease...See your hygienist regularly to keep not only your teeth, but your gums as well, clean and healthy.