Periodontal gum disease (or periodontitis) is a quiet condition that can slowly but surely erode your oral health. It’s an infection of the gums that starts out as plaque— an opaque film on the teeth that hardens to form tartar. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria that attack the soft tissue around the gums. This is the early stage of gum disease known as gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis becomes periodontitis which ultimately destroys the tissue surrounding your teeth and the bone that holds your teeth in place.

Except for bad breath and bleeding gums, there are often very few early warning signals of periodontitis. As mentioned earlier, the disease advances silently and often without pain, and before you know it, you might be losing your teeth and you don’t know why.

Tooth loss is only the most obvious indicator of gum disease. Scientific research has also discovered a linkage between gum disease and stroke, heart disease, diabetes – even an increased risk for pregnant women. When your gums become diseased, your entire immune system is affected.

In the past, fear of painful dental surgery has kept people with gum disease from seeking the care they needed. Thankfully, we can help.

At The Hills Dental Care, we know how to treat periodontal disease in a safe and effective way that will keep you as pain-free and comfortable as possible. Don’t wait until this silent assassin runs its deadly course—call us for an appointment, and we’ll give you the treatment and tips you need to treat gum disease and stay periodontitis-free.