Periodontal disease - Definition and Overview

Periodontal disease is the name for bacterial infections of the gums in the mouth. People who have diabetes are more likely to have gum disease than people who do not have diabetes.

Symptoms

• redness or bleeding of gums while brushing teeth

Treatment

• regular brushing and flossing, use of a thin piece of cotton or nylon string to clean between the teeth
• treatment by a periodontist, which may include professional cleaning, drugs, and/or surgery

Prevention

• diets high in Vitamin C and regular dental hygiene (see above)

See also

• Actinomyces naeslundii