
Periodontal or gum disease is a kind of bacterial infection. It destroys the soft tissues and bones that anchor the teeth to the jawbones. Bacteria grow in the dental plaque and then forms in the pockets around the teeth. The body’s reaction to the plaque leads to the breakdown of the bones and soft tissues. During the early stages, bleeding of the gums whenever you brush or floss would be noticeable. When the infection gets worse, the gums would begin to break down. Then they pull away from your teeth to form pockets. As time pass by, these pockets in between the teeth and gums would deepen and this would mean that the other supporting structures are being destroyed. Ultimately, the teeth would become painful and loose. Worse is, they might fall out.