What is Periodontal (Gum) Disease?

Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place.  It's typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build up on the teeth and harden.  In advanced stages, periodontal disease can lead to sore, bleeding gums; painful chewing problems; and even tooth loss.

What are the Risk Factors for Gum Disease?

There are a number of risk factors for gum disease, but smoking is the most significant.  In fact, smoking can even jeopardize the success of treatment.  Depending on the extent of the gum disease, treatments can range from professional deep cleaning and medications to surgery.  While periodontal disease can be treated, more importantly, it can be prevented.  Daily brushing and flossing, regular dental check-ups, and quitting tobacco use are the best defense against periodontal disease.

Health Information

For patients

• Periodontal (Gum) Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
  This brochure is for people with gum disease.  It discusses the causes, diagnosis, and treatment options.
  
• NIHSeniorHealth: Gum (Periodontal) Disease
  A module on periodontal disease for older adults created by the NIDCR, the NIH National Institute on Aging, and the NIH National Library of Medicine.
• Periodontal Disease​
  Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the causes of periodontal disease, its warning signs, risk factors, and prevention and treatment.
  
• MedlinePlus: Gum Disease
  The NIH National Library of Medicine's compilation of links to government, professional and non-profit/voluntary organizations with information on periodontal disease and gingivitis.

For patients in Spanish

• Enfermedad de las encías o enfermedad periodontal - Causas, síntomas y tratamientos
  Spanish version of "Periodontal (Gum) Diseases".  This brochure is for people with gum disease. It discusses the causes, diagnosis, and treatment options.

For health professionals

• Periodontal Disease and Diabetes
  A podcast for health professionals from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about periodontal disease, diabetes complications, and the influence of poor oral health on blood glucose control.  
  

Clinical Trials

• Periodontal Diseases

Research

• Periodontal Diseases
  A fact sheet that describes what periodontal diseases are and research being done to better understand and treat these disorders.
• LAD-I Periodontitis: Rolling On . . . and On (August 2014)
  
• Minimally Invasive (September 2013)
• One, Two, Three (August 2013)
• Commensal Damage (June 2013)
• Postmenopausal Women Who Smoked Are More Likely to Lose Teeth Due to Periodontal Disease (University of Buffalo) - 3/01/13  
• Divaris, Others Confirm Genetic Link to Periodontitis through First Genome-wide Study (UNC School of Dentistry) - 3/04/13  
• Microbiological Characterization in Children with Agressive Periodontitis (January 2013)
• The Leukocyte Integrin Antagonist Del-1 Inhibits IL-17-Mediated Inflammatory Bone Loss (September 2012)  
• Early Microbial Succession in Redeveloping Dental Biofilms in Periodontal Disease and Health (February 2012) 
• New Target for Periodontal Disease (April 2012)
• Mouse Study Explains Bacterium's Unique Role in Periodontitis (November 2011)
• The Kids Are All Right (April 2011) 
• Periodontal Disease in Senior Men (June 2009)
• Gene Change and Aggressive Periodontitis in African Americans (April 2009)
• Likely Early Biomarker for LAP Identified (March 2009)
• New Lead in Resolving Tissue Inflammation (January 2009)
• New Analysis of Periodontitis Prevalence (November 2008) 
• Localized Aggressive Periodontitis: Pinning Down the Long Suspected Role of Aa (April 2008) 
• Study Comparies Protein Expression of P. Gingivalis (February 2008)

Statistics

• Periodontal Disease Statistics
  Latest statistics on the prevalence of periodontal disease in adults and seniors