The short version
- Plaque that is not removed hardens into tartar, and brushing will not shift tartar.
- The early stage is painless, which is why it goes unnoticed.
- It damages the ligament and bone holding the teeth, not just the gum.
- Smoking, some medications, hormones and nutrition all raise the risk.
- A professional clean is the only thing that removes hardened tartar.
- Starts as
- Plaque
- Becomes
- Tartar
- Early pain
- None
- Removed by
- Professional cleaning
A great many people have gum disease and do not know it. The early stage does not hurt, which is exactly the problem: by the time it is uncomfortable it is harder to treat and some of the damage is permanent.
What it is
Gum disease, properly periodontal disease, is an infection around the teeth. The gums recede, swell and become sore.
It starts with plaque, the sticky bacterial coating that forms on teeth. Cleaning removes plaque. Plaque that is not removed hardens into tartar, and tartar is the leading cause of gum disease. Once it has hardened, brushing will not shift it, and only a professional clean will.
Left untreated it makes gums bleed and ache, and eventually teeth come loose and are lost. The damage runs deeper than the gum: it affects the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone, the two structures holding the teeth in place.
That distinction matters. Gum grows back to a degree. Lost bone does not.
What causes it besides not brushing
Plaque is the main cause. It is not the only one, which is why people who clean their teeth well still develop it.
Smoking. It damages gum cells and interferes with their normal function, leaving smokers more susceptible to oral infection. Smokers also get less warning, because smoking suppresses the bleeding that would otherwise signal a problem.
Medications. A range of prescription medications reduce saliva production. The bacteria that cause gum disease spread faster in a dry mouth.
Hormonal changes. Pregnancy and the menstrual cycle change blood flow to the gums and how the body responds to toxins.
Nutrient deficiency. The body needs nutrients from food to maintain tissue and mount a response to infection.
If any of these apply to you, cleaning well is necessary and may not be sufficient on its own.
How to avoid it
- Clean between the teeth, daily. Brushing does roughly half the job; plaque accumulates between teeth where a brush does not reach.
- Keep the appointments. This is the one that matters most, because it is the only part that removes tartar. Regular visits also mean the early stage gets caught while it is still reversible and still painless.
- Stop smoking, if that applies. It affects the gums directly, not only the color of the teeth.
- Mention your medications. A dry mouth is treatable once someone knows about it.
What to watch for
Bleeding when brushing or flossing. Gums that look redder or more swollen than usual. Persistent bad breath. Gums that seem to be pulling back from the teeth.
Pain is not on that list, because it arrives late.
Why this comes before cosmetic work
Veneers and crowns rest on the gum and the bone underneath. Cosmetic work built over untreated gum disease sits on a foundation that is receding, and a crown specifically needs healthy gum to support its margin.
This is why an examination comes before treatment, and why a white smile is not the same as a healthy one. See white teeth and healthy teeth.
The daily habits that protect both are in ten habits behind a good smile.
Booking an examination
Sarasota Smile Design is on Clark Road in Sarasota, a short drive from Nokomis, Osprey and Venice. Open Monday to Thursday, 8am to 4pm.
Call 941-927-5411, or see what the practice treats.
