What Causes gum disease?

Plaque is a sticky film that form on your teeth every day. Bacteria in the plaque irritate your gums and can cause your body to react with red, puffy, and swollen gums. Plaque can calcify over time. This is called calculus, also known as tartar. Tartar is so hard you cannot get it off with a toothbrush and it is very irritating to your gums. Like a barnacle on a boat, it must be removed with special tools.
Accumulated plaque and tartar will cause your gum disease to get worse. Over time, bacteria invade your gum tissue causing inflammation, swelling, and bleeding. Infected gums can lead to infected bone, and this in turn can cause loss of bone around your teeth. Advanced gum disease can cause your teeth to become so loose, they can literally come out.

Routine dental cleanings will remove accumulated plaque and tartar and prevent gum disease before it is a problem. Your dental hygienist will clean off the plaque and tartar before damage can occur and keep your gums healthy.

How do you treat gum disease?

Whether minor or advanced, treatment of all gum disease problems centers on getting your teeth really clean. Removing the tartar that is irritating your gums will allow your body to heal. To put it simply, our job is to get your teeth clean, educate you on how to keep your teeth clean at home, and monitor your progress over time. Once healthy, it is easy to maintain that healthy state.