Periodontal (gum) disease is insidious a slowly progressing disease that is irreversible beyond the first stage of disease. It is also painless until the advanced stages when teeth start to become loose due to loss of bone support. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria that attacks the soft tissue around the teeth known as the gums. Left untreated, Gingivitis becomes Periodontitis which ultimately destroys the soft tissue (gums) AND hard tissue (bone that hold your teeth in place) surrounding your teeth.
As mentioned earlier, the disease advances silently and often without pain, and before you know it, you are losing your teeth and you don't know why. Tooth loss is only one of the most obvious indicator of gum disease (tooth loss can also be due to severe, non-restorable cavities). Scientific research has discovered linkage between gum disease and stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and even an increased risk for pregnant women. In the past, fear of painful dental (gum) surgery has kept people with gum disease from seeking the care they needed. With advances in dental care, those days are gone forever.