Changes

Dental calculus (tartar) forms when plaque is left undisturbed for a number of days. Calcium salts from saliva start to become deposited in the plaque causing it to harden and become resistant to removal. Diets high in minerals and diets consisting of soft rather than hard crunchy food exacerbate the problem.  As dental plaque becomes calcified and the whole crown may become covered in brown chalky material. Calculus forms a brittle dirty brown covering to the tooth which may not affect the enamel at all but may produce mild gingivitis around the edge and the gum may start to recede. This exposes more of the crown, and may subsequently reach the level of the dentine and infection may enter the alveolus and loosen the ligaments holding tooth in and ultimately the tooth will become loose and fall out.

Dental calculus (tartar) forms when plaque is left undisturbed for a number of days. Calcium salts from saliva start to become deposited in the plaque causing it to harden and become resistant to removal. Diets high in minerals and diets consisting of soft rather than hard crunchy food exacerbate the problem.  As dental plaque becomes calcified and the whole crown may become covered in brown chalky material. Calculus forms a brittle dirty brown covering to the tooth which may not affect the enamel at all but may produce mild gingivitis around the edge and the gum may start to recede. This exposes more of the crown, and may subsequently reach the level of the dentine and infection may enter the alveolus and loosen the ligaments holding tooth in and ultimately the tooth will become loose and fall out.

'''Gingivitis''' - Reversible inflammation of the marginal gingival tissues that does not affect the [[Enamel Organ|periodontal ligament or the alveolar bone]].

'''Gingivitis''' - Reversible inflammation of the marginal gingival tissues that does not affect the [[Tooth - Anatomy & Physiology|periodontal ligament or the alveolar bone]].

'''Periodontitis''' - Inflammation and irreversible destruction of the tooth's supporting structures that includes the [[gingiva]], periodontal ligament, alveolar bone and root cementum. It usually occurs after years of plaque accumulation and gingivitis. The epithelial attachments of the tooth regress apically and there is absorption of the associated alveolar bone, resulting in permanent loss of tooth support.

'''Periodontitis''' - Inflammation and irreversible destruction of the tooth's supporting structures that includes the [[gingiva]], periodontal ligament, alveolar bone and root cementum. It usually occurs after years of plaque accumulation and gingivitis. The epithelial attachments of the tooth regress apically and there is absorption of the associated alveolar bone, resulting in permanent loss of tooth support.