Periodontal
disease is inflammation of the tissues which supports the teeth
and attaches them to the jaw.
Where inflammation only involves the gum tissue it is called gingivitis.
Where inflammation reaches the bone it is termed periodontitis.
Is
periodontal disease common? Yes, more common than tooth decay. Nearly every adult is affected
by it, and many teeth are extracted because of periodontal disease.
I
have always brushed my teeth twice a day. Why should I be
affected?
You probably miss the same parts of your mouth every time
you brush and these will be the areas affected by the disease.
These areas are hard to see if you have missed, so your
dentist/ hygienist should point out how to reach these areas.
Even when your are an expert at brushing, toothbrush bristles
won’t go in between teeth and that is usually where
the disease is most severe.
