Periodontal disease is very prevalent in the general population. It ranges in severity from mild to advanced. Typical symptoms are bleeding gums, bad breath, loose teeth, and recession. An examination is required to determine the level of pocketing and bone loss around the teeth. Treatment varies based on severity of disease. Initial treatment usually involves deep cleaning (root planning) to remove calculus and toxins on the root surfaces to assist with returning the gum tissue to a healthy state. In some cases, gum surgery is recommended to reduce pocketing further and possibly to regenerate lost bone.