Gum Disease in Adults

• Gum disease in adults is caused by bacteria around the necks of the teeth. If the bacteria are not removed a condition called chronic periodontitis can develop.
• This is an inflammatory disease of the structures which support the teeth. These structures include the ligaments of the teeth, the gums and the bone of the tooth socket.
• As chronic periodontitis progresses the space between the gum and the tooth, called the pocket, gets deeper.
• As the pocket extends beyond 4mm cleaning with a normal toothbrush and dental floss does not remove all the bacteria, so the  destruction continues.
•  The disease may reach an advanced stage without causing any pain or symptoms, and therefore can only be detected by the dentist measuring the pocket depths and taking radiographs.