Is there a cure?

There is a genetic component to gum disease, so you may find your Mum or Day also have gum problems. This is a disease that you are born with so there is no cure as such, but there is management. The aim is to keep the bacteria out of the pockets with meticulous, daily oral hygiene.

The dentist (or specialist periodontist) will help with this by doing a detailed scale and clean every 6 months or more (sometimes 3 monthly). Your overall health plays a part in combating this disease too. Problems are seen more frequently in smokers and other illnesses like diabetes.