What Is Periodontal (Gum) Disease?

An infection of the tissues and bone that hold your teeth in place — and the number one reason adults lose teeth.

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Quick Answer

In Plain Terms

Gum disease is a bacterial infection that destroys the gum tissue and jawbone supporting your teeth. It begins as gingivitis — red, puffy, bleeding gums — which is reversible. Left untreated it progresses to periodontitis, where bone is lost permanently and teeth eventually loosen. It is usually painless until it is advanced, which is exactly why it goes unnoticed.

Details

How It Develops

Plaque — a sticky film of bacteria — constantly forms on your teeth. When it isn’t removed daily, it hardens into calculus (tartar), which can only be removed professionally. Tartar sits beneath the gumline and irritates the tissue, causing inflammation.

Stage 1: Gingivitis

The gums become red, swollen and bleed easily when brushing. At this stage no bone has been lost, and with a professional cleaning and good home care it is fully reversible.

Stage 2: Periodontitis

The infection spreads below the gumline. Gums begin to detach from the teeth, forming pockets that trap more bacteria. The body’s inflammatory response starts breaking down the bone that anchors your teeth. Bone lost at this stage does not grow back on its own.

Stage 3: Advanced Periodontitis

Pockets deepen, substantial bone is destroyed, and teeth loosen, shift or need removal. Treatment becomes more complex and may involve specialist referral.

The encouraging part: caught in the early stages, gum disease is very manageable. That’s the whole point of regular checkups.