It is estimated that during their lifetime 80% of the U.S. population will develop gum disease and that once it starts, it does not usually reverse itself without specialized care.

• It begins with the formation of bacterial plaque, a colorless, sticky substance that forms every day. While diligent brushing and flossing will remove it, if left alone, plaque will create chemicals that attack the gums.
• The bacteria cause a mineral buildup called calculus, which advances local irritation. This calculus cannot be removed by diligent brushing and flossing, only by professional care in the dental office.
• The skin on your gums dies and is reborn every day and this tissue contains sulfur. This sulfur mixes with the bacteria and food forming sulfur compounds such as H2S (which has a rotten egg smell well-known to chemistry students).
• While the symptom is bad breath, the problem is that the sulfur compounds allow the bacteria to penetrate into the gums.
• If your body’s defenses are low because of poor nutrition, other diseases, or even aging, it will not be able to fight off these attacks.
• Gum tissue and even bone are destroyed forming periodontal pockets which allow additonal harmful bacteria to breed and enter the bloodstream.