Did you know that gum (periodontal) disease is one of the most under-diagnosed conditions in the world? Because over 50% of people do not visit the dentist regularly, it goes undiagnosed, putting your overall health at risk. Scientists discovered a link between gum disease and systemic conditions like heart disease, strokes, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory illnesses, making treatment essential to your overall health and wellness. So let’s know what causes periodontal or gum disease?

Over time, bacteria collect on the surface of our teeth forming plaque which when hardens turns into “Tartar”. Tartar is hard to remove with everyday brushing and flossing so it accumulates on our teeth and around our gum line over time constituting the initial stage of gum disease known as “gingivitis”. Gingivitis can cause infection, pain, swelling bleeding while brushing or even bad breath affecting our social, career, and love life, however “Gingivitis” if detected in this early phase, the effects can be reversed with non-surgical treatments, including medication, scaling and root planing (deep cleaning). On the other hand, if left untreated, Gingivitis can progress into periodontitis, which can result in gum recession, bone deterioration, and tooth loss in more severe cases. At Al-Mahmoud Medical Center our knowledgeable friendly periodontists and dental hygienists work together to identify and treat your gum disease in all its stages to help you manage it and put you back on track for healthy gums!