What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis is severe gum disease that can make your teeth loose or fall out.
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Infection weakens the tissue that holds your teeth in place
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Symptoms include sore, swollen or bleeding gums, bad breath, and loose teeth
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Dentists treat periodontitis with repeated cleanings, dental surgery, and/or antibiotics
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Periodontitis is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults
What causes periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a severe form of gingivitis. Gingivitis is caused by plaque. Plaque is a sticky film full of germs that builds up on your teeth. Plaque that stays on your teeth for more than a few days and hardens is called tartar.
The buildup of tartar on your teeth below the gums causes periodontitis. The tartar irritates your gums and allows germs to grow. First, this causes gingivitis. If you don't get treated, the germs eventually weaken the tissue and bone that hold your teeth. Then your teeth get loose and eventually fall out.
You usually get periodontitis from:
Periodontitis happens faster in some people than others, even when they have the same amount of tartar. You may be more likely to get periodontitis if you have:
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Diabetes (especially type 1)
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Leukopenia (a lower number of white blood cells which can make you more likely to get sick)
