Periodontal Disease
Gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss and is usually painless until it is advanced — diagnosis, treatment and long-term maintenance.
Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and the bone that holds your teeth in. It is common, it is largely preventable, and its defining feature is that it rarely hurts until a great deal of damage has been done.
Caught early it is reversible. Caught later it can be controlled, and controlling it is what keeps the teeth. That is why gums are examined at every routine visit rather than only when something is sore.