Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and, without treatment, can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. It is a common but largely preventable condition that is typically the result of poor oral hygiene. The term "periodontitis" is derived from the Greek words "peri," meaning around, and "odont," meaning tooth, combined with the suffix "-itis," which denotes inflammation. Thus, periodontitis literally means inflammation around the tooth.

The condition begins with bacterial growth in your mouth and may end — if not properly treated — with tooth loss due to the destruction of the tissue that surrounds your