 |
Causes : Bacteria in the mouth infect tissue surrounding the
tooth, causing inflammation around the tooth leading to periodontal disease. |
 |
Warning signs :
 |
Bad breath or bad taste that won’t go away |
 |
Red or swollen gums |
 |
Tender or bleeding gums |
 |
Painful chewing |
 |
Loose teeth |
 |
Sensitive teeth |
 |
Gums that have pulled away from your teeth |
 |
Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you
bite |
 |
Any change in the fit of partial dentures |
|
 |
Risk factors: Certain factors increase the risk for
periodontal disease:
 |
Smoking |
 |
Diabetes |
 |
Poor oral hygiene |
 |
Stress |
 |
Heredity |
 |
Crooked teeth |
 |
Underlying immuno-deficiencies—e.g., AIDS |
|