Periodontal disease is a major health care issue affecting a large sector of the population. It often goes unnoticed as it is difficult for people to diagnose. The disease can begin at any age from adolescence and may progress over the years. Therefore it is important to make regular visits to your dentist. We are committed to providing "whole mouth" care, and an important component of this is a detailed and accurate assessment of your gums. There are many forms of periodontal diseases and the primary cause is due to bacterial plaque located near or below the gum margins. A mild form of periodontal disease is called gingivitis and this is an inflammation of the gums. This may result in bleeding during brushing, swelling and increased redness of the gum tissue. Many people develop gingivitis and it is primarily due to inadequate bacterial plaque control. The early stages are easily treated by a trained Dental Hygienist, and the infection can be controlled by good oral health care at home. However some people react less favourably to the presence of bacterial plaque around the teeth and gums, than others. If the plaque is not removed, these susceptible people develop irreversible and severe breakdown of the tooth supporting tissues. The severe forms of periodontal disease which may develop lead to pus formation, tooth mobility and perhaps eventual tooth loss. About 10% of the population are at risk of severe periodontal disease in adolescence or adulthood, leading to significant tooth loss and morbidity. A recent survey reported in the Annual Report by the Dental Estimates Board, London, HMSO (1991/2) of over 4000 adults showed 75% of 35 to 44 years olds had periodontal disease with some irreversible loss of tooth supporting tissue, whilst 13% had severe forms of periodontal disease. The disease often occurs in short destructive bursts at a variable number of sites in the mouth. Therefore identification of the patients at risk of any form of destructive periodontal disease is paramount. Several important points to remember: 1. Prevention is better than cure. 2. Early diagnosis is essential for the best treatment outcome. 3. Patient's play a key role in determining the success of periodontal ccctreatment: ddd(a) meticulous plaque control is essential for long term successful dbbbddtreatment ddd(b) commitment to long term follow up care with regular visits 4. Our responsibility: ddd(a) commitment to regular full periodontal assessments and dbbbddappropriate treatment for all our patients ddd(b) keep up to date with the latest advances and knowledge in bbbdddmanagement of periodontal diseases.