The health of your gums contributes to other medical conditions
The word periodontal means “around the tooth.” Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition involving the gums and bone supporting the teeth, caused by bacterial infection. You may not be aware that you have periodontal disease because it progresses slowly and is usually painless. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to plaque below the gum line which will harden into tartar within 24 to 72 hours. Tartar is difficult to remove with a toothbrush and requires removal by a professional dental hygienist. Toxins produced by bacteria in plaque and tartar destroy the gums and underlying bone, often leading to loose teeth and ultimately tooth loss.

People with periodontal disease are twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease. Men with gum disease are 49% more likely to develop kidney cancer, 54% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer and 30% more likely to develop blood cancer. Gum disease can also cause pneumonia, heart disease, and difficulty regulating diabetes.

Preventing gum disease
You can control gum disease by minimizing the build-up of plaque. To do this, take good care of your teeth every day at home and have regular dental checkups with scaling from our professional and thorough hygienists.

How to spot gum disease:

• Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth.
• Red, swollen or tender gums.
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth.
• Bad breath that doesn’t go away.
• Pus between your teeth and gums.
• Loose, shifted or drifting teeth.
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.
  
  Periodontal Treatment Options
  Hand scaling is the use of metal instruments to remove plaque and tartar which reduces inflammation, the primary cause of periodontal disease.
  
  Ultrasonic Scaling uses water running through a metal tip that is vibrating at a very high frequency to remove plaque and tartar to reduce bacterial count below the gum line. This instrument is very comfortable compared to earlier sonic devices.
  
  For more information about periodontal disease, or to book an appointment, please call our Scarborough Centenary Dental office today at 416-281-4746.