What is periodontal (gum) disease?

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease or periodontitis, is a condition in the mouth whereby the bone supporting the roots of teeth deteriorates (goes away). The deterioration of the bone happens when bacteria in the mouth make their way beneath the gums. It's the accumulation of dead bacteria called "plaque " that accelerates this process. The first sign of gum disease is red swollen gums, commonly called "gingivitis."  Daily removal of this plaque with brushing and flossing, along with regular dental cleanings, is the best prevention of gum disease.

Gum disease is classified into four different categories as follows:

1)Early Periodontitis: swollen red gums which easily bleed( "Gingivitis ").

2)Mild Periodontitis: infection of gums spreads to the underlying bone, leading to initial bone loss around the roots of teeth; pus may exude out of the gums and "gum pockets " begin to form.

3)Moderate Periodontitis: bone loss continues to advance next to the roots of teeth, resulting in deeper gum pockets and slight loosening of teeth in the bone.

4)Severe Periodontitis: most of the bone has resorbed around the tooth roots, resulting in noticeably loose teeth, severe gum recession, and often gaps between teeth.  

 More advanced types of gum disease, where bone-loss has occured, requires more specialized and detailed professional cleanings, and in some cases surgery. In cases where too much bone has been lost, and aggressive therapy has not helped, teeth may need to be extracted.