How Does Periodontitis Develop?

• Plaque can spread and grow below the gumline.
• Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums.
• The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body, in essence, turns on itself.
• The tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed,
• The gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected.
• As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed.
• Although this destructive process has very mild symptoms, eventually teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.