Periodontitis
Periodontitis [1] is an advanced form of gum disease. Gum disease occurs as a result of the buildup of plaque on your teeth. Plaque is mainly made up of bacteria that eat the sugars from our food to get the energy they need.
As the bacteria eat these sugars, they also produce waste products, which can cause your gums to become irritated and inflamed, and bleed easily. This is called gingivitis.
When this inflammation spreads further into the gum tissue and affects the bone, it can become periodontitis.
The American Dental Association [2] estimates that periodontitis affects 47.2 percent of adults over the age of 30 in the United States.
Periodontitis can get more severe if not treated, with more loss of tissue and bone continuing to happen. As this happens the farther away the gums pull away from the teeth, creating pockets or holes in the area between your teeth and gums.
Symptoms that indicate you may have periodontitis include:
- red, swollen gums
- gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss
- sore gums
- bad breath
- receding gums
- sensitive teeth
- loose teeth
- discomfort or pain when chewing