Periodontology is a specialty of Dentistry that deals with periodontal gum disease and its objective is the maintenance of health of the periodontal tissues (periodontium) in preventive and therapeutic level.

The periodontium (pert=around, odontos= tooth) comprises the following tissues: the gingiva  ,the alvealor bone , the root cement and the periodontal ligament.

Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. In the mildest form of the disease, gingivitis, the gums redden, swell and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care. Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, a bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth .With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums and stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself. The tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.

The symptoms of periodontal disease are:

-Bleeding of the gums

-Red  and swollen or tender gums

-Detached gums

-Bad breath

-Mobility of the teeth

-Drifting of the teeth

-Pus between the gums and teeth

-Gingival recession

-Pain

The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on teeth or on abundant calculus deposits. Factors like genetics, smoking, stress, bad nutrition and pregnancy are considered as modifying or risk factors that play a significant role in the progression of the disease and affect the health of the gums

There are also some systemic diseases that predispose patients to periodontitis.  These include diabetes mellitus (especially Type I), leukemia, Down Syndrome, insufficiency of immunogenic system and reception of medicines from patients that have suffered transplantations.

The treatment of periodontal disease depends on the stage that the disease is found, and can include simple conservative treatment, or complicated surgical interventions.