In my columns I keep circling back to the gum and the gum diseases because they have huge impacts on our dental and general health. I want to start with some clarification of the terms gum disease and periodontal disease. For convenience we often use them with the same meaning. Gum disease is the initial stage of inflammation when only the gums around the neck of the teeth are inflamed. Peridontal disease is the more advanced stage in which bacteria has spread in the jaw bone anchoring the teeth in place. Needless to say both conditions have to be treated but periodontal disease is more dangerous and more difficult to treat of both.