Onset of gum diseases happen when tartar, made up of bacteria settle beneath the gum line, and begin to infect and inflame the tissues that support teeth. The early stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis and can usually be taken care of with regular scaling and by following the dental hygiene measures as instructed by your dentist. Gingivitis, however can advance to periodontitis, if left untreated where the gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces (called “pockets”) that become infected. Advanced periodontitis is characterised by deepening of these pockets often filled with pus, and accompanied by swollen gums around the base of the teeth leading to bone loss and weakening of the ligaments that hold teeth in place, eventually resulting in tooth loss. Severe gum disease does not resolve without intervention, and might require gum surgeries.