Periodontal (Gum) Treatments Periodontal or gum disease is an infection of the tissue surrounding the teeth. Normal gums exhibit a healthy pink color and don't bleed when you brush or floss. Factors that can increase the risk for periodontal disease include smoking or tobacco chewing, diabetes, certain medications including oral contraceptives and cancer therapy drugs, pregnancy, and defective fillings. Due to changes in one's health, living conditions, stress levels, and eating habits, periodontal disease can be episodic - which means your gums were healthy but have changed in a short amount of time. Periodontal diseases develop when bacteria in the mouth is allowed to grow and form tarter. Once tarter has established a firm presence, the bacteria secretes a gum deteriorating acids. As the gum tissue is damaged, the sulcus (the crevice between the tooth and gum) develops into a pocket, leading to bone loss; generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket. Severe periodontal disease can lead to loss of teeth. Over the last ten years, major advances have been made in the treatment of periodontal disease. Most periodontal disease can be treated with non-surgical techniques. For further information click here