What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis is defined as the irreversible inflammation and destruction of the tissues that support the teeth.
The inflammation can cause your gums to recede over time. Recession occurs not only on the outside but also on the inside, where the gum meets the tooth, which in turn forms pockets where bacteria can develop and accumulate and further accelerate the disease process.
Gum problems usually begin without any initial symptoms, so it is vital to have both your teeth and gums checked regularly.
Once problems start, they can progress at an increased rate, with damage occurring over a relatively short period of time.