Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums in the mouth.This disease is indication of poor oral health. Smoking is the main factor of this disease.This disease can grow more rapidly in diabetes patient . Bacteria is the main cause of gum disease and our mouth is full of bacteria.These bacteria and other particles are responsible to form a colorless ,sticky “plaque” on our teeth. Flossing and brushing is an easy method to get relieved of plaque. Plaque, which is not possible to remove with the help brushing ,can form bacteria-harboring "tartar". Tarter can be removed by only a dentist or dental hygienist.

Gum disease can affect one tooth or also in many teeth. Gum diseases have two distinct stages. Gum disease is the main cause of tooth loss.

Gingivitis - Due to improper cleaning of teeth, the bacterial inflammation of the gums is known as gingivitis. It is a mild form of gum disease . Daily flossing and brushing, and regular cleaning by a dental hygienist or dentist can easily removed this disease. There is no loss of bone and tissue ( that holds teeth intact ),in this form of gum disease.

Periodontitis –This is an advance form of gum disease. When it is not possible to treat the Gingivitis, it can advance to "periodontitis". In this disease, gums pull away from the teeth .It forms the pocket which is infected. This form of gum disease is an infection of tissues (Periodontitis), which hold the teeth intact.

Causes of Periodontal Disease

Bacterial plaque which is a sticky and colorless film, is the main cause of  periodontal disease or gum disease. Some other factors are also responsible for this disease, which are given below.

1) Smoking – Smoking is highly relevant factor for periodontal disease.
2) Hormonal changes in girls/women- Hormonal changes can make gums more sensitive and make easier to progress of periodontal disease.
3) Diabetes – diabetic patient are at the higher risk for developing this disease.
4) Stress - it  is more difficult for our bodies to fight infection if we have a stress.it can be cause of gum disease.
5) Medication - Some drugs and some heart medicines can affect oral health. These drugs reduce the flow of salvia. Salvia provides a protection to our teeth and gums.
6) Illnesses – Our oral health can also be affected by some diseases such as cancer or aids and their treatments.
8) Poor Nutrition - The body's immune system can be affected, if you take low nutrition in your diet. Poor nutrition in your diet makes harder to fight off infection. Periodontal disease is also a serious infection ,so poor nutrition can also be cause of  Periodontal disease.
9) Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth – Some people are clenching and grinding their teeth. It can put some extra force on the supporting tissues of the teeth. it increases the rate at which these periodontal tissues are destroyed .

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

The symptoms of gum disease are given below. However each person can feel symptoms differently.

1)  Feel pain in your mouth.
2) When you brush your teeth or eat something then your gums ever bleed.
3) Swollen and tender gums
4) Bad breathe
5) Pus between your teeth and gums.
6) Any spaces developing between your teeth.
7) develop sores in your mouth

Treatment of Periodontal Disease

To control the infection treatment is necessary. The treatment is depending upon the level of the gum disease. Every treatment requires the good dental care at home. Some other factors are also responsible to improve the treatment result such as never use tobacco, alcohol and quit smoking.
This disease can be cured in several manners. It depends upon the level of gum disease. Treatment for gum disease varies from nonsurgical to surgical therapies. Nonsurgical therapies are used to control the bacterial growth and surgical therapies are used to repair the supportive tissues.

Nonsurgical treatments

a) Scaling and root planing- This is nonsurgical procedure in which plaque and tarter from above and below the gum line is removed (scaling).In this procedure the rough surface on the tooth root are made smooth. This is called planing. Planing removes the bacteria and gives a clean surface for the gums to reattachment to the teeth. If your dentist find that you have a hardened plaque and tartar under your gums then scaling and planing should be done.

b) Professional dental cleaning – If your dentist determines that you have a gum disease then he will suggest to you for dental cleaning (at least twice in a year).
In dental cleaning they remove the plaque and tarter under your gums.

Surgical treatments

a) Flap surgery/pocket reduction surgery -This procedure is used to reduce the gap between the gum and tooth and to remove the tarter from the gums. By this surgery the unequal surface of the tooth can be made smooth. Gums are then placed so that the tissue fits tightly around the tooth.
This method decreased the areas where harmful bacteria can grow.

b) Bone grafts – This procedure is used to replace bone which is destroyed by the gum disease. In this surgery the dentist can use fragment of your own bone or donated bone or artificial bone. This method provides the stability to your teeth. Tissue engineering, which is a new technology, can restore bone and tissue from your own body at an accelerated rate.

c) Soft tissue grafts – This surgical procedure is used to fills the places where gums have receded. G Grafted tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth.

d) Guided tissue regeneration – This procedure is used when the bone which is supporting your tooth has been destroyed. Between the bone and gum tissue a small mesh like fabric is inserted, with the combination of flap surgery.

e) Bone surgery - it smoothes shallow craters in the bone which is caused by moderate and advance bone loss. in this surgery the bone around the tooth is reshaped which decreases the craters.