About Gum Disease

Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) is a chronic infection of the gums that causes destruction of the tissue and bone supporting the teeth. When left untreated, gum disease can progress and lead to tooth loss and, in its advanced stage, to possible serious health issues.
Among the first indications of gum disease are sore and bleeding gums, as well as bad breath. Such symptoms are often ignored and rarely recognized as the first warning signals of gum disease. The fact that gum disease often progresses free of pain can make it difficult to diagnose. As a consequence, many sufferers are unaware that they even have gum disease.
