What Is Periodontal Disease?
The periodontium is made up of gums, root surface, connective tissue attachments, and bone. When healthy, the gums are pale pink, firm, and immobile, with a smooth or stippled texture.
The tissue between teeth is shaped like a pyramid ending in a peak. Even in healthy mouths, the crevice between the gum and the tooth is teeming with bacteria, but they tend to be harmless. The crest of the supporting bone, which can be viewed on x-rays, is normally two millimeters below the point where the crown of the tooth meets the root (the cementoenamel junction).
Periodontal disease refers to a group of problems that arise in the gums, usually because of an increase in quantity and change in the type of bacteria. These diseases are generally divided into two groups: gingivitis, which causes wounds that affect the gums; and periodontitis, which damages the bone and connective tissue that support the teeth.
Some symptoms of Periodontal disease are:
- Bad taste in mouth
- Bad breath
- Red or swollen gums
- Tender gums
- Bleeding gums
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Pain when chewing
- Pus around teeth and gums
- Calculus (brown, hard deposits) on tooth surface
READ MORE ABOUT PERIODONTAL DISEASE >>
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