Periodontal diseases (also known as gum diseases) are infections of the gum and bone that hold teeth in place.
If periodontal problems are not treated, they can become severe and may lead to tooth loss. Periodontal diseases are often painless. You may not be aware that you have a problem until your gums and the supporting bone are damaged.
The good news is that periodontal disease often can be treated with a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing. Treatment has this huge benefit: you’ll increase the chances of keeping your natural teeth.