Gum Disease
Gingivitis, also generally called gum disease or periodontal disease, is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.  Gum disease describes the events that begin with bacterial growth in your mouth and may end - if not properly treated - with tooth loss due to destruction of the tissue that surrounds your teeth.

Symptoms of Gum Disease
Periodontal disease may progress painlessly, producing few obvious signs, even in the late stages of the disease.  Although the symptoms of periodontal disease often are subtle, the condition is not entirely without warning signs.  Certain symptoms may point to some form of the disease.  They include:

• Gums that bleed during and after brushing
• Red, swollen, or tender gums
• Persistent bad breadth or bad taste in the mouth
• Receding gums
• Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
• Loose or shifting teeth
• Changes in the way teeth fit together upon biting down, or in the fit of partial dentures

Even if you don't notice any symptoms, you may still have some degree of gum disease.  In some people, gum disease may affect only certain teeth, such as the molars.  Only a dentist or a periodontist can recognize and determine the progression of gum disease.

Preventing Gum Disease
Gum disease can be reversed in nearly all cases when proper plaque control is practiced.  Proper plaque control consists of professional cleanings at least twice a year and daily brushing and flossing.  Brushing eliminates plaque from the surfaces of the teeth that can be reached; flossing removes food particles and plaque from in between the teeth and under the gum line.

Other health and lifestyle changes, such as stop smoking, reducing stress, maintaining a well-balanced diet, and avoiding clenching or grinding your teeth, can decrease the risk, severity, and speed of gum disease development.

Despite following good hygiene practices and making other healthy lifestyle choices, the American Academy of Periodontology says that up to 30% of Americans may be genetically susceptible to gum disease.  And those who are genetically predisposed may be up to six times more likely to develop some form of gum disease. 

If anyone in your family has gum disease, it may mean that you are at greater risk as well.  If you are more susceptible to gum disease, your dentist or periodontist may recommend more frequent check-ups, cleanings, and treatments to better manage the condition.

For more information, please visit:

The American Dental Association:
- Frequently Asked Questions about Gum Disease