What is peridonntal disease

Periodontal disease refers to a group of problems that arise in the gum sulcus, the crevice between the gum and the tooth. Even in healthy mouths, the sulcus is teeming with bacteria, but they tend to be harmless varieties. Periodontal disease develops usually because of two events in the oral cavity:

An increase in bacteria quantity.

Change in the balance of bacterial types from harmless to disease-causing bacteria. [See What Causes Periodontal Disease?

In general, the process that causes disease is as follows:

Harmful bacteria increase in mass and thickness until they form a film known as plaque.

In healthy mouths, plaque itself actually provides some barrier against outside bacterial invasion. When it accumulates to excessive levels, however, plaque adheres to the surfaces of the teeth and adjacent gingiva and causes cellular injury, with subsequent swelling, redness, and heat.

When plaque is allowed to remain in the periodontal area, it transforms into calculus (commonly known as tartar).

This material has a rock-like consistency and adheres tenaciously to the tooth surface. The color and hardness vary depending on the age of the material and extrinsic factors, such as tobacco use. It is much more difficult to remove than plaque, which is a soft amorphous mass.

Calculus produces injury and inflammation that eventually destroys the support structures and bone and can lead to tooth loss.