Periodontal disease is more commonly known as gum disease and was referred to as pyorrhoea in the earlier days. It is a progressive inflammatory disease of the gingival and the surrounding tissue (bone) around the teeth. Periodontal disease is the commonest cause of tooth loss after the age of 30 and it is believed that around 80% of the population above the age of 30 may suffer from this disease, with varying degrees of severity.

It is usually painless and is mainly caused by plaque although pregnancy, diabetes, epilepsy, and such medications as chemotherapy, medication prescribed for heart problems, birth control pills, and antidepressants can all make you more susceptible to gingivitis which is one of the more common forms of periodontal disease.

Gingivitis Gum Disease

Gingivitis (the first stage of periodontal disease),is the mild inflammation of the gingival caused by plaque build up.gingiva will be red, swollen, and tender. You may also notice bleeding while you brush and floss. This stage is reversible.

Mild Periodontitis

Inflammation will spread to the supporting alveolar bone. Minor bone loss and the formation of periodontal pockets, or food traps, may occur.

Moderate Periodontitis

In this stage, there will be increased gingival recession, moderate to deep pockets, moderate to severe bone loss, and mobility of teeth due to the bone loss.

Severe Periodontitis

This is the most serious stage of periodontitis. Deep pockets, increased mobility of teeth, movement of teeth out of position, and visible fistulas (boils) will be present in this stage. Pus may develop; bone loss continues, and your teeth may loosen or fall out.

TREATMENT

At our centre,all sorts of treatment modalities for gum disease are available. We believe in providing the advanced modalities of treatments for gum disease

Treatments like

• Deep periodontal curettage
• Flap surgery
• Bone Grafts
• Soft tissue grafts
• Guided tissue regeneration
• Bone (osseous) surgery
• Medications -as prescribed by the dentist,in pill form are used to help kill the germs that cause periodontitis or suppress the destruction of the tooth's attachment to the bone. There are also antibiotic gels, fibers or chips applied directly to the infected pocket. In some cases, a dentist will prescribe a special anti-germ mouth rinse containing a chemical to help control plaque and gingivitis. These are the only mouth rinses approved for treating periodontal disease.