Teeth are held in place by a socket of bone around each tooth. The teeth are suspended by ligaments which connect the tooth to the bone. Gum tissue covers the bone and the first part of the root surface.

Whenever we eat, plaque bacteria grow and release by-products of metabolism, which is irritating to the gum tissue. The gums respond by becoming red, puffy and swollen. At this point they may bleed when we brush and sometimes will also be sore. If the teeth are brushed and cleaned thoroughly, the plaque is easily removed and gum health will return. However, within a few hours, the minerals naturally found in saliva will deposit in the plaque and it will form a very hard material called calculus or tartar. This tartar is even more damaging to the gum tissue in that it cannot be removed by brushing or flossing, and it often builds up in areas underneath the gums which are very difficult to reach.

The disease then progresses to the next level at which the bone around the teeth is irritated. This results in the bone "shrinking" or resorbing. In later stages the gums will also "shrink" as bone is lost. This bone loss creates very deep spaces called periodontal pockets which traps even greater amounts of plaque and tartar. The progression of the disease now speeds up and reaches a more serious level. If enough bone and gum tissue has been lost the roots will become exposed, the teeth may become sensitive and will begin to look longer. In later stages, a patient may notice his/her teeth either shifting or becoming loose. Unfortunately, by the time this has occurred, about 50% or more bone has already been lost.

The most important point to understand is that once bone is lost it is lost forever. Once gum disease begins, it changes the environment in the mouth and it can and will progress. The only way to stop its progression is to change your routine between home care and possibly your dental visits and dental care.

The simplest prevention is to brush and floss your teeth daily. Brushing will remove any plaque on the outside surfaces of the teeth, and flossing will remove that which builds up between the teeth. Toothbrushes do not reach areas between the teeth, so if you do not floss, you are not cleaning all around your teeth thoroughly.

The second step is to visit your dentist regularly. Dentists and hygienists are trained to look for the earliest signs of gum disease, and can remove any calculus that has built up underneath or around the gums. This calculus cannot be removed by simply brushing, so it is vital that each of us has a professional cleaning done in a dental office.

How often we need to go depends on the overall health of our gums, how well we clean our teeth between visits and how much calculus we build up. Most children and adults do well with a visit and cleaning every six months, however, those with current problems may need to be seen every three or four months. Your dental professionals are the best ones to advise you how often you need to have professional cleaning in order to maintain your gum health.

Please note, in the recent past many dental insurance companies are paying for fewer cleanings (i.e. every nine to twelve months) in order to cut costs and maintain profits. Beware, they do not know the condition of your mouth or gums and they do not have your best interests in mind. Please follow the advice of your dental professionals as we are here to advise and help you on the best quality care. If you accept less than what is recommended by us or your dentist in order to "stay within your plan" and save minor short term costs, you will have greater and more expensive problems in the future. Whether it results in decay, tooth loss, loss of fillings, crowns, bridges or implants, prevention and stopping problems early is always a less expensive and simpler solution.