Periodontics

Periodontitis, a type of gum disease, is severe inflammation of your gums, with symptoms that include red, bleeding or swollen gums. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss. Treatment may involve deep dental cleaning or, in severe cases, surgery. Regular brushing and flossing can prevent periodontitis.

The main cause of periodontitis is poor oral hygiene. Bacteria cling to plaque and tartar on your teeth surfaces. If you don’t clean your teeth as well or as often as you should, bacteria travel down beneath your gum line, where your toothbrush and floss can’t reach. These harmful bacteria erode the tissues that support your teeth, leading to infection, bone loss and tooth loss.

Gum disease treatment depends on the extent and severity of your condition. There are nonsurgical and surgical options for treating periodontitis.