How Tooth Plaque Causes Gum Disease

For patients in Encinitas/San Diego who deal with gum disease, it can be one of the greatest concerns for the long-term health of their smiles. However, despite the severe effects that it can have on your periodontal tissues and oral structures, gum disease begins as nothing more than plaque developing and calcifying on your teeth. Made up of hundreds of kinds of oral bacteria, plaque and its calcified form, tartar, give these microbes plenty of time to attack your teeth and gums. The acids and toxins they produce can lead to some of the most common and destructive issues, including severe gum disease.

The Bacteria You Can’t See

The plaque that visibly gathers on your teeth every day is a combination of oral bacteria, food particles, saliva, and more. The bacteria feed on the food particles, converting them into harmful substances. Among those substances are several toxins that irritate and infect your gums, causing gum disease to develop and grow worse. Many of these bacteria can work their way underneath your gums if they remain long enough, accumulating and forming plaque and tartar on the surfaces of your teeth roots.

Keeping Bacteria Away from Your Gums

The best way to prevent oral bacteria from affecting your gums is to keep them effectively controlled with excellent daily hygiene (in addition to routine dental cleanings). However, when bacteria do make under your gums, your periodontist can perform deep periodontal cleaning to remove them and stop them from leading to extensive gum disease. If the disease has already developed, then you might also require routine periodontal maintenance to preserve the health of your gums and smile.

Gain a Better Chance at Fighting Gum Disease

The oral bacteria that make up plaque are a significant factor in gum disease development. Therefore, protecting your smile means preventing them from accumulating. For more information, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kania by calling her periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.