Gum Disease

Summary

If you have gum disease, you’re not alone. Many U.S. adults currently have some form of the disease. It ranges from simple gum inflammation, called gingivitis, to serious damage to the tissue and bone supporting the teeth. In the worst cases, you can lose teeth.

In gingivitis, the gums become red and swollen. They can bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease. You can usually reverse it with daily brushing and flossing and regular cleanings by a dentist or dental hygienist. Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis. If you have periodontitis, the gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that become infected. If not treated, the bones, gums and connective tissue that support the teeth are destroyed.

NIH: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Start Here

• Ask a Periodontist (Frequently Asked Questions about Gum Disease) American Academy of Periodontology
• Gum Disease American Academy of Periodontology
• Periodontal (Gum) Disease National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Patient Handouts

• Bleeding gums Medical Encyclopedia
• Gingivitis Medical Encyclopedia
• Gums – swollen Medical Encyclopedia
• Periodontitis Medical Encyclopedia
• Trench mouth Medical Encyclopedia

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Dental Plaque National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Gingival Diseases National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Periodontal Diseases National Institutes of Health

Diagnosis and Tests

• Dental Exam National Library of Medicine
• Panoramic Dental X-Ray Radiological Society of North America

Related Issues

• Diabetes, Gum Disease, and Other Dental Problems National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Gum Disease and Other Diseases American Academy of Periodontology
• Peri-Implant Diseases American Academy of Periodontology
• Prevention of Infective (Bacterial) Endocarditis: Wallet Card American Heart Association

Statistics and Research

• FastStats: Oral and Dental Health National Center for Health Statistics

Find an Expert

• Find a Periodontist American Academy of Periodontology
• Find an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Specifics

• Gingivitis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Encyclopedia

• Gingivostomatitis Medical Encyclopedia
• Gum biopsy Medical Encyclopedia

Teenagers

• Gum Disease Nemours Foundation

Men

• Gum Disease and Men American Academy of Periodontology

Women

• Gum Disease and Women American Academy of Periodontology

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• Gum Disease by the Numbers

Videos and Tutorials

• Periodontal (Gum) Disease National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Treatments and Therapies

• Periodontal Treatments and Procedures American Academy of Periodontology
• Surgical Periodontal Procedures American Academy of Periodontology

Journal Articles

• Gum Disease