This is a classic story of good news and bad news. The bad news is that almost 47% of Americans have some form of periodontal disease and that 64% of American seniors have either moderate or severe periodontitis. In the form of gingivitis, periodontal disease is easily treated and reversed; it doesn’t need to be a serious medical issue. If it progresses to periodontitis, though, it can result in the destruction of gum tissue and even tooth loss. But there’s good news! What is the good news? The good news is that there is an entire dental specialization that deals specifically with treating periodontal disease and restoring and protecting the health of your gums. That specialization is called periodontics. In a way more specialized than a general dentist near you , periodontists use several different treatment methods to address periodontal disease. If you’ve been diagnosed with gingivitis usually caused by plaque buildup, you may be experiencing: red, tender and swollen gums; bloo...