Periodontal disease is a condition that affects gums as a result of bacterial infection. The bacteria eat into the gums creating spaces in which they multiply causing eventual separation of gums from teeth. This is in severe cases where it results in tooth loss.

Types of Periodontal Disorders
Gingivitis
This is the manifestation of periodontal disease in its earliest form. It is localized to gum tissue and at this stage, the condition can be corrected. The main cause of gingivitis is improper oral hygiene that facilitates accumulation of plaque. The initial manifestation of gingivitis is in form of red, puffy and inflamed gums. The gums bleed easily and patients are likely to have continuous bad breath.

Causes of Gingivitis
A number of factors contribute to this disease. Smoking, stress, poor nutrition, diabetes, aging, heredity and hormonal changes are the key predisposing factors for this disease. Exposure to certain medications that affect hormonal and general body reaction is also a cause. In cases of skin allergy, the gum tissue may peel off. Chronic forms of gingivitis (Ulcerative gingivitis) are due to infection on the gums in which the tissue starts to die.

At this stage, gums bleed unpredictably and the tissue between the teeth decays. AIDS patient, are prone to getting this illness and the decay causes severe pain accompanied by bad odor. Gingivitis is prevalent 3/4 of adults above the age of 35. Groups of people susceptible to gingivitis include expectant women, people taking hormonal steroids, women using birth control contraceptives, people with ill-managed diabetes and those taking some drugs especially for blood pressure. It’s important to note that in its early stages, gingivitis can be treated. However, if left unchecked, it can progress into chronic periodontal disease. Advanced stages of this disease show grave symptoms where front gums turn yellowish and retract revealing as much bone as possible.

Periodontitis
As has been noted already, unchecked gingivitis may progress to periodontitis. This type of periodontal disease occurs with common symptoms being inflamed gums and periodontal pockets between gums and teeth.

Signs and Symptoms of Periodontitis
The signs and symptoms of periodontist may go un noticed until one is in the 30\'s. The symptoms aggravate with age and may appear intermittently based on one\'s health and ability to fight the pathogens that occasion inflammation. People likely to get periodontitis include those with Down Syndrome, AIDS, and Type 1 diabetes. Children are also prone to getting affected by periodontitis especially at puberty but it is limited to the first incisors and Molars. The destruction of underlying tissue may also be spread to other parts of the mouth (teeth and gums). In children, there may be minimal accumulation of plaque but will experience excessive loss of bone in the affected region.

The juvenile form of periodontitis resembles the adult one with inflammation and accumulation of plaque leading to loss of bone. In rare circumstances, babies contract this disease when milk teeth show. People between ages 18 and 34 show active forms of this disease. Periodontitis can become chronic where gums are detached from the teeth. The underlying tissue in gums becomes damaged. Interestingly, about 15% of the population shows signs of chronic periodontitis. The disease may show little or no symptoms at all though some people may note receding gums and persistent bleeding coupled with bad breath. Unlike gingivitis, which is reversible, periodontitis is not completely reversible but practicing good oral hygiene and treatment can alleviate its progress. The explanation for this is that damaged gum tissue may not be rebuilt easily.

Treatment
Treatment for periodontitis normally involves complete cleaning, technically referred to as scaling or root planning. Advanced stages of this disease may necessitate periodontal surgery and some form of therapy. In most instances, use of antibiotics and surgery are the possible remedial actions. Periodontitis may also be an outward manifestation of a disease that affects the whole body. Such diseases include leukemia and other hereditary disorders.