A new laser treatment has been developed to tackle gum disease.

A new treatment which uses laser technology to treat gum disease has been developed in the US.

Dental surgeons in the US are pioneering a treatment which entails a small laser being used to kill bacteria in the mouth, while stimulating recovery in healthy tissue.

Periodontist Dr Robert Yu commented: “The laser kills disease-causing bacteria below the gums, while leaving healthy tissue alone. Studies show it helps regenerate lost gum and bone.”

He added the surgery is relatively straightforward and there is “very little bleeding”.

Elsewhere, periodontist Dr Roger Parkes recently told the Clarion Ledger that if gum disease is left untreated, it can pose a serious risk to a person’s health.

He noted signs of gingivitis include gums that bleed easily even with gentle brushing, bright red or red-purple colour to the gums, bad breath, swollen gums that may be tender to the touch and abscesses.