Dental Condition Glossary Buxism - the involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth; mainly while the patient is asleep. Bruxomania - constant "nervous" grinding of the teeth while the patient is awake. Calculus - the hard deposit, also referred to as "tarter," that forms on teeth due to insufficient plaque control. Caries - a progressive destruction of bone or tooth. Gingivitis - a disorder involving inflammation of the gums. Gum recession - a condition characterized by the abnormal loss of gum tissue due to infection or bone loss. Impacted tooth - a condition in which a tooth is unable to erupt normally because of it's position against the gum or bone. Plaque - a thin sticky substance containing saliva, food particles, and bacteria that attaches to the tooth surface both above and below the gum line. Periodontal disease - the inflammation and infection of gums, ligaments, bone, and other tissues surrounding the teeth. Periodontal pocket - an irregular deepening of the gingival crevice. It is caused when infection/disease destroy the ligament that attaches the gum to the tooth and the underlying bone. Tooth abscess – an infection of a tooth, due to a collection of pus in the bone or soft tissue.