Periodontal or gum diseases are serious infections affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth. These tissues include the gums and bone supporting the teeth.
Periodontal disease is usually a slow, painless, progressive disease.
Most adults with periodontal disease are unaware they have it. If diagnosed and treated early, however, the teeth can be saved. Plaque is an often colorless mass of bacteria that sticks to teeth, crowns and bridges, and other tissues in the oral cavity. Plaque is constantly forming on the teeth. Plaque irritates the gums, causing them to become red, tender, and swollen.