In health, gums are pink and firm. The gum tissue covers the bone and fits firmly around the tooth like a collar. There should be no bleeding when you brush or clean between your teeth.

The human mouth is filled with bacteria.  These bacteria, along with mucous and other particles form a sticky film called plaque is constantly forming and which adheres to the teeth.  This plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing.  When the plaque is allowed to remain on the teeth, the bacteria involved become more harmful, and more difficult to remove, creating an environment that is more toxic to the tissue.  The plaque itself can harden creating a cement like substance (calculus) that cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone.

This leads to inflammation and gum disease.

The first stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis.  It is an inflammation of the gingiva or gums and  is characterized by red, tender, swollen gums, and halitosis or bad breath.  It  is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist, healthy nutrition and the cessation of smoking.  This form of gum disease does not involve any loss of bone and tissue that hold the teeth in place.  Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis.

The next stage of periodontal disease is  periodontitis. It causes irreversible  damage to  the bone  and connective tissue that support the teeth in the mouth. As it  progresses the pockets deepen and the body’s immune system initiates an inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself and the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are broken down and destroyed. If not treated the teeth may eventually become loose and need to be removed. While the initial cause of gum disease is bacterial plaque, there are other risk factors making one susceptible to periodontal disease: