Written By Kevin Kerfoot / Reviewed By Ray Spotts
Periodontitis - or gum disease - is an inflammation of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. It is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world, and in Germany, approximately 15 percent of people are affected by a particularly severe form of this disease. If left untreated, periodontitis will lead to tooth loss, and the disease also increases the risk of arthritis, cardiovascular disease and cancer.