
Periodontitis is inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth. Periodontal diseases (also called periodontitis) are those diseases that affect one or more of the periodontal tissues:
Periodontitis is inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth. Periodontal diseases (also called periodontitis) are those diseases that affect one or more of the periodontal tissues:
• alveolar bone
• periodontal ligament
• cementum
• Gingival
• While many different diseases affect the tooth-supporting structures, plaque-induced inflammatory lesions make up the vast majority of periodontal diseases and have traditionally been divided into two categories:
• gingivitis or
• Periodontitis.
• While in some sites or individuals, gingivitis never progresses to periodontitis, data indicates that gingivitis always precedes periodontitis.
Symptoms
• Breath odor
• Gums that appear bright red or red-purple
• Gums that appear shiny
• Gums that bleed easily (blood on toothbrush even with gentle brushing of the teeth)
• Gums that are tender when touched but are painless otherwise
• Loose teeth
• Swollen gums Early symptoms resemble gingivitis.