Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease, and is an
infection of the gums surrounding your teeth. Gum disease is one
of the top reasons for tooth loss in adults, and because it is
virtually pain free, many patients do not know they have the
disease. During each regular checkup, your Dr. Dunn will check
for signs of periodontal disease by measuring the space between
your teeth and gums. Dr. Dunn also uses MyPerioPath® and
MyPerioID PST® salivary diagnostics to test for specific perio-
pathogenic bacteria that are known to cause periodontal disease,
as well as individual genetic susceptibility to periodontal
disease. This enables Dr. Dunn to establish which patients are
at increased risk for more severe periodontal infections due to
an exaggerated immune response. What Causes Gum Disease? Gum
disease is caused by a buildup of plaque (a sticky form of
bacteria that forms on the teeth). If the plaque is not removed
(by flossing, brushing, and regular dental checkups), it will
continue to build up and creat