Gingivitis, an early stage of periodontal disease, is usually treatable with no lasting effects by simply dedicating yourself to good oral hygiene and perhaps making a few lifestyle changes, such as avoiding tobacco and cutting back on sugary foods. More severe gum disease called periodontitis causes your gums to recede, pulling away from your teeth. Even erode the bone that supports your teeth, ultimately resulting in the affected teeth falling out.

Periodontal disease has a variety of causes, including poor oral hygiene, smoking and other forms of tobacco use, and diet. Other risk factors are less controllable, such as family history, hormonal fluctuations like those caused by puberty and pregnancy, chronic illnesses like diabetes or cancer, and medications.

Periodontal therapy is an important part of restoring your health to your teeth and gums as well as preventing tooth loss. There are both surgical and non-surgical treatment for gum disease in this therapy.

Non-surgical option involves cleaning the plaque from the surface of tooth. More severe cases require surgical treatments to restore the health and appearance of your gums and the affected teeth. Surgical treatment includes gum grafts, gum flap surgery.