What gum disease actually is
Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It starts when plaque, the soft film that forms on teeth every day, is left along and beneath the gumline. The bacteria in that plaque irritate the gums, and your body’s own inflammatory response begins damaging the very tissues it’s trying to protect.
Stage one: gingivitis
The earliest stage is gingivitis: gums that look red or puffy and bleed when you brush or floss. It usually doesn’t hurt, which is exactly why people ignore it. The good news is that gingivitis is fully reversible with professional cleaning and consistent home care.
Stage two: periodontitis
Left untreated, the infection moves deeper. Gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that trap more bacteria, and the bone supporting your teeth begins to erode. This stage is called periodontitis. It can’t be cured outright, but it can be controlled for life with treatment and regular maintenance. What can’t be reversed is lost bone, which is why timing matters so much.
Why it matters beyond your teeth
Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and research has linked it to broader health concerns, including heart disease and diabetes. Treating your gums is health care, not just dental care. You can read more in Your Mouth & Your Health.
How we treat it
Treatment depends on the stage. Early disease often responds to deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) done comfortably with local anesthesia. Established disease is managed with a personalized plan and maintenance visits every three months, the interval research supports for keeping disease activity down. Where recession has occurred, gum grafting can rebuild the lost tissue.
