"Perio" is Greek for "around" and "odont" is Greek for "tooth." So periodontal diseases affect the gum (gingiva) and the bone around the teeth. "Gingivitis" is inflammation limited to the soft tissues. In "periodontitis" the inflammation has caused breakdown of the bone.

The primary cause of gum disease is bacteria left stagnant in the crevice between the gum and the teeth. The bacteria are mostly anaerobes. "An-aero" means "no air"; they cannot live in air or oxygen. When we clean we disrupt and aerate everywhere we reach. If we consistently miss somewhere the periodontal pathogens (disease producing germs) can live there and cause:

• the gums to separate and recede from the teeth forming deep pockets, and,
• the bone to deteriorate.

The deeper the pockets the less able you are to prevent pathogenic bacteria from living in their depths.

Periodontal diseases rarely hurt. They don't even itch. Often they are not visible. Yet, the majority of adults who do not floss have some degree of breakdown. Periodontal problems are the most common reason for adult tooth loss.