Your gum tissue and bone should adapt snugly around your teeth like a turtleneck around your neck. Your gums and bone are attached to your teeth, creating tight seal so that bacteria and plaque cannot pass under the gums. Active periodontal disease destroys and “detaches” your gums and bone from your teeth, forming “pockets” which allows bacteria to enter and travel deeper and deeper under the gums causing more bone loss and possibly tooth loss. Often times, spaces will form in between the teeth with the progression of periodontal disease compromising the way you bite, eat, speak, and smile. The deeper the pockets become, the larger the space for the bacteria to live and the less attachment your teeth have to the surrounding gums and bone. Inevitably, if too much bone is lost, teeth become loose and may need to be removed. This is an unfortunate progression of untreated periodontal disease that can be avoided with periodontal treatment. Periodontal disease has been associated with uncontrolled diabetes, smoking, heart disease, cancer, digestive problems and other medical problems. Research has shown that periodontal health and therapy can help improve these medical conditions. Here at PerioLife, we are dedicated to promoting oral health and overall well-being.