Healthy Mouth
In a healthy mouth, teeth fit snugly in their sockets, their roots surrounded by a strong foundation of gums and other supportive tissue. This tissue holds teeth firmly to the bone and acts as a shock absorber during the pressure of biting and chewing. In an unhealthy mouth, bacteria may infect the gums. In some people, bacteria attack the deeper supportive tissues, destroying and weakening this foundation. This infection is called periodontal disease, and may cause otherwise healthy teeth to eventually loosen and fall out. |
Periodontal Disease
Even if you have no noticeable symptoms, periodontal disease could be damaging the supportive tissues that form the foundation of your teeth. Gingivitis, a mild form of the disease, may progress to Periodontitis, which in turn may lead to tooth loss. The earlier you treat periodontal disease, the easier it is to control, and the better chance you have of restoring the health of your mouth and saving your teeth. |
