Our mouths are filled with bacteria, which combine with saliva and food particles to create a colorless, sticky film referred to as plaque. Plaque tends to accumulate between teeth and along the gumline, and if it is not removed through brushing and flossing, it can harden into a mineralized substance called tartar. Plaque and tartar irritate and inflame the gums, which creates a condition known as gingivitis. Red, swollen gums that bleed easily when brushed or flossed may be suffering from gingivitis, the mildest type of gum disease. If gingivitis is not treated by a complete professional cleaning and proper daily dental hygiene, it can get worse into more advanced types of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease can have many negative effects on your smile. Its symptoms include chronic bad breath, a receding gumline, loose or shifting teeth and teeth that are falling out, all of which can affect the appearance and function of your smile. When the infection is affecting only the external gums, it can be more easily treated and controlled. However, once it penetrates more deeply into the tissues and structures supporting the teeth, the damaging effects of the disease will no longer be able to be reversed. The bacteria will begin to proliferate in pockets of infection around the base of the teeth, driving the infection even deeper into the oral cavity and destroying the tooth itself and the bone supporting the tooth.

The infection can then enter the bloodstream and create systemic inflammation. Not only has periodontal disease been linked with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, but those who are undergoing joint replacement surgery have been shown at a clinically substantial risk for infection if they suffer from gum disease before the procedure.

Women have unique risks associated with gum disease. Women who are trying to conceive may be more likely to miscarry if they have active periodontal disease, whereas those who are already pregnant may be more likely to suffer from preterm birth or have low birth weight babies. As gum disease can weaken the jawbone, women who are postmenopausal may be more vulnerable to the bone-weakening effects of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease can have serious damaging effects on a person's dental and overall health, but it is considered highly preventable. While it may have a genetic link, certain other factors, like smoking, diabetes and certain drugs, may also increase a person's risk of developing it. Good dental hygiene is the best way to prevent gum disease. Brushing your teeth at least two times a day for two minutes at a time and flossing once a day can remove dangerous plaque and bacteria, and professional cleanings will remove the tartar development that can cause gum disease. Any symptoms of periodontal disease should be reported to your dentist right away so that supportive treatments can start as soon as possible.

Visit BestNorthHollywoodDentist.com, North Hollywood dental center to learn more. Dr. Bijan Afar, North Hollywood periodontist offers different options for the treatment of periodontal disease in its different stages.