When plaque builds up too much in your mouth, advanced periodontal disease is taking track. The plaque that causes advanced periodontal disease irritates the gums, making them bright red, tender, swollen, and sensitive. Advanced periodontal disease is scary as it can cause you bad breath and the possible damage to your teeth and gums can be pretty gruesome. Even if you brush and floss vigorously, you may not be able to get rid of all of the plaque on your teeth. The more build-up, the more tartar that can result in nasty complications. Advanced periodontal disease is common because many people don't realize they have it and don't take the necessary steps to prevent the disease. However, most cases of advanced periodontal disease can be prevented with proper oral hygiene.