Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a painful inflammatory infection of the gums. This infection is caused by plaque deposits that haven’t been properly cleaned from your teeth—usually in those spots between your teeth and near your gumline that you can’t quite get with your regular toothbrush. Plaque contains lots of bacteria that can cause considerable irritation and damage to your gums. To properly stop these bacteria from causing problems in your mouth, develop strong habits of brushing and flossing daily. Good oral hygiene is a great way to clear away food particles and plaque buildup from your teeth and gums. However, hardened plaque, commonly called tartar, becomes nearly impossible to remove with at-home treatments. The buildup can start to irritate your teeth and gums which leads to infection and periodontitis. This is why regular professional cleanings twice a year with your dentist here at Luth & Heideman Center for Dental Care are so important to catch these hard to reach spots.