What is Gum Disease?

Watch this video to learn more about the causes, stages, and side effects of periodontal disease.

Gum disease and periodontal disease have been used interchangeably, but when we are talking about periodontal disease, you are referring to periodontal structure, which means periodontium. Periodontium means supporting the structure of the tooth, whereas gum is only one component. Periodontal tissue, we are dealing with the ligaments. You are dealing with the bone as well as the gum tissue.

And so gum disease and periodontal disease more or less, you know, the same meaning, but by definition a little bit different, as I explain to you. Now, it’s one of the most common diseases of mankind. In fact, three out of four after age 35, they have some sort of gum disease or periodontal disease. Gum disease begins with early phase, initial phase, which is gingivitis.

That means infection and inflammation of the gum tissue. And if it is not treated and controlled, will progress to a more advanced form of a disease causing the bone loss. Eventually the tooth get lose, you end up losing it. But the issue with infection and damage is not only limited to in the mouth, it will affect the entire body.

In fact, it is well established many papers and research papers out which indicate that the infection in the mouth due to periodontal disease or gum disease will affect the entire body. Makes you prone to become diabetic, has tremendous negative impact and causing cardiovascular disease. There are some indications correlate gum disease or periodontal disease to cancer. So is a wide range of negative ramifications. So the damage is not only limited in the mouth ending of losing the tooth will affect the entire body.