Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a chronic infection that affects the gums and bone supporting your teeth. The term “periodontal” literally means “around the tooth.” These infections are caused by bacteria in your mouth that destroy the foundation of the gum and bone around your teeth. Gum disease is one of the most common infections in the United States, affecting over 75% of American adults over the age of 50 and more than a third of the total population.
Understanding Gum Disease
Despite the prevalence of gum disease, many people are unaware that they are affected. In a recent survey, 8 out of 10 Americans believed they didn’t have periodontal disease, even though 7 out of 10 had one or more symptoms. This lack of awareness can be attributed to the often painless and asymptomatic nature of the disease in its early stages. However, if left untreated, gum disease can lead to severe consequences, including tooth loss.
What is Gum Disease?
Periodontal means “around the tooth.” Periodontal diseases are gum and bone infections caused by the bacteria in your mouth that destroy the foundation of the gum and bone around your teeth. They are some of the most common infections in the United States. In fact, more than 75% of American adults over the age of 50 have some form of periodontal disease, and over a third of the total population has moderate periodontal disease.
Despite the number of people infected with gum disease, many don’t believe it affects them. In a recent survey, 8 out of 10 Americans believed they didn’t have periodontal disease, even though 7 out of 10 had one or more symptoms.
Periodontal disease can be painless or asymptomatic until it is almost too late to save teeth. The most common symptoms are tooth drifting, mobility and gum swelling. If left untreated, gum disease can cause bad breath, swollen bleeding gums and eventually tooth loss. In fact, periodontal disease is the major reason for adult tooth loss.
Most importantly, periodontal disease is preventable.
