Also known as trench mouth, periodontal disease is usually painless and slow to progress. Patients are often unaware that a problem even exists until after they start to experience pain in the form of an acute infection or abscess.
Periodontal disease is caused by chronic bacterial infections in the bone that supports the teeth.
This is due to inadequate, incorrect, or more commonly, the lack of brushing and flossing. Even with regular brushing, infections can occur between teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. Gum infections from improper cleaning can lead to red, puffy and sensitive gums. Much more serious, bone infections in the mouth lead to permanent loss of the supporting bone. The infections and resulting deterioration of the bone often progresses without any painful symptoms until quite late in the cycle.