Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsStages and SymptomsTreatment GoalsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentComplicationsPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Stages and Symptoms
Treatment Goals
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Prevention
Periodontitis(gum disease) occurs when the gums become infected and inflamed due to a buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth.This condition—which is common among older adults in the United States—progresses in stages from mild to severe.
While periodontitis is not curable, it is manageable if caught early with proper treatment and at-home oral hygiene habits.
Periodontitis Stages and Symptoms
Periodontitis progresses in stages. Based on data from 2009 to 2014, experts estimated that 4 in 10 U.S. adults ages 30 or older had mild, moderate, or severe forms of periodontitis.
How Mild Periodontitis Starts
Periodontitis initially starts with gum inflammation (gingivitis), which is reversible. You will first noticegums bleedingwhenbrushingor flossing, along withplaque. Plaque is a buildup of food and bacteria on the teeth that can happen without regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings.
After this point, the early or mild stage of periodontitis begins. During this time, the gums start to pull away (recede) from the teeth. Small pockets of bacteria will also form in between gums and teeth. More bleeding occurs during brushing and flossing, and bone loss may develop.
Progressive Periodontitis
If not treated, periodontitis progresses to moderate gum disease. During this stage, additionalgum recessionoccurs, along with more bleeding and pain while brushing. Bacteria in the area lead to an infection that can spread deeper into the teeth and may trigger an inflammatory immune system response throughout the rest of the body.
At this time, there may be bone loss, and your teeth might start to feel loose.
Advanced Periodontitis
The gums, bones, and tissue surrounding the teeth become destroyed in advanced-stage gum disease.
Common symptoms of advanced periodontitis include:
At this point, surgical procedures are often needed to treat severe infection and inflammation.
Goal of Periodontitis Treatment
Periodontitis treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, removing plaque from the tooth surface, and eliminating the pockets of bacteria on the gums.
Once periodontitis progresses past the gingivitis (initial gum infection) stage, it is no longer reversible, but it can still be managed and treated to reduce the chances of further complications.
How Does Periodontitis Develop?
Periodontitis commonly develops in people with inadequateoral hygieneor dental care.
In addition, several other factors make it more likely to develop gum disease. For example, in a 2009 to 2014 survey of U.S. adults ages 30 or older, the following factors were found to increase the chances of developing periodontitis:
Social and structural determinantscan also impact the risk of gum disease. The same survey showed that periodontitis disproportionately impacted nearly 57% of non-Hispanic Black adults and 60% of Mexican American adults ages 30 and older.
Income statusplays a role. Periodontitis was seen in 60% of those surveyed who reported living below 100% of the federal poverty level.
Periodontitis and Health ConditionsCertain health conditions like diabetes, which is common among adults with periodontitis, are linked to developing gum disease.Other health conditions and circumstances that may be related to periodontitis include:Heart diseaseHaving obesityTeeth grindingorjaw clenchingMalocclusion(having misaligned teeth)PregnancyMenopauseExperts theorize that inflammation may be a key factor behind these links.
Periodontitis and Health Conditions
Certain health conditions like diabetes, which is common among adults with periodontitis, are linked to developing gum disease.Other health conditions and circumstances that may be related to periodontitis include:Heart diseaseHaving obesityTeeth grindingorjaw clenchingMalocclusion(having misaligned teeth)PregnancyMenopauseExperts theorize that inflammation may be a key factor behind these links.
Certain health conditions like diabetes, which is common among adults with periodontitis, are linked to developing gum disease.Other health conditions and circumstances that may be related to periodontitis include:
Experts theorize that inflammation may be a key factor behind these links.
Why Is a Periodontitis Diagnosis Important?
Oral health impacts a person’s overall health, including the development of certain chronic diseases. The good news is, periodontitis can be controllable if discovered early. This is why it’s so important to get a timely diagnosis—which starts with a dental checkup.
During a dental checkup, a dentist or other dental healthcare provider will ask questions about your medical history, including whether you are living with certain health conditions like diabetes or whether you have ever smoked—as both of these factors can lead to periodontitis.
Then, they may perform a couple of tests to come to a diagnosis. These include:
It’s also possible that you may be referred to a periodontist, a specialist in diagnosing and treating gum disease.
Accessing Dental CareFor people who don’t have access todental insurance, know that free orlow-cost dental caremay be available in your area if needed.The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides information on resources such ascommunity health centers,dental schools, orclinical trialsthat offer such services.
Accessing Dental Care
For people who don’t have access todental insurance, know that free orlow-cost dental caremay be available in your area if needed.The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides information on resources such ascommunity health centers,dental schools, orclinical trialsthat offer such services.
For people who don’t have access todental insurance, know that free orlow-cost dental caremay be available in your area if needed.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides information on resources such ascommunity health centers,dental schools, orclinical trialsthat offer such services.
Treatment Based on Periodontitis Stage
Options for periodontitis treatment are mostly based on the stage of the gum disease. For example, your dental healthcare provider may recommend:
Permanent Periodontitis Changes and Complications
Periodontitis can cause complications and permanent tooth changes if it’s not treated in a timely manner.
Complications can include:
How to Prevent and Manage Periodontitis
Periodontitis can be preventable, and it can be managed once it has been diagnosed. Some of the keys include practicing healthy oral hygiene habits, promoting overall wellness, and seeking regular dental care.
The main oral hygiene tactics experts recommend for preventing periodontitis include:
Other lifestyle changes to reduce risk factors include eating a well-balanced diet and not smoking.
To manage your oral health with a periodontitis diagnosis, your dental health professional will likely recommend a treatment plan that includes examinations every several months to monitor the stage of periodontitis.
Preventing Periodontitis at HomeThe best ways to prevent periodontitis involve caring for your teeth and gums at home. While brushing, flossing, and maintaining a well-balanced diet may seem tedious, remember that just a few minutes per day on preventive tactics now can save money and time and prevent diagnoses like gum disease in the future.
Preventing Periodontitis at Home
The best ways to prevent periodontitis involve caring for your teeth and gums at home. While brushing, flossing, and maintaining a well-balanced diet may seem tedious, remember that just a few minutes per day on preventive tactics now can save money and time and prevent diagnoses like gum disease in the future.
Summary
Periodontitis progresses in stages, leading to permanent complications like tooth loss if not treated early. Because it’s also linked to the development of health conditions like diabetes and heart disease, it’s important to get a diagnosis from a dental healthcare provider as soon as possible if you think you might have periodontitis—in addition to keeping up with at-home oral hygiene habits.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Periodontitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About periodontal (gum) disease.American Academy of Periodontology.Staging and grading periodontitis.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Reserach.Oral health in America: advances and challenges.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Periodontal (gum) disease).American Dental Association.Periodontitis.Lertpimonchai A, Rattanasiri S, Arj-Ong Vallibhakara S, Attia J, Thakkinstian A.The association between oral hygiene and periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Int Dent J. 2017;67(6):332-343. doi:10.1111/idj.12317Eke PI, Thornton-Evans GO, Wei L, Borgnakke WS, Dye BA, Genco RJ.Periodontitis in US Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2014.J Am Dent Assoc. 2018;149(7):576-588.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2018.04.023 (linking to PMC because full text found there, not at doi)American Academy of Periodontology.Gum disease risk factors.American Academy of Periodontology.FAQs.Figueiredo MGOP et al.Periodontal disease: Repercussions in pregnant woman and newborn health-a cohort study.PLoS One. 2019;14(11):e0225036. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225036Park KY, Kim MH, Choi SH, Pang EK.Association of periodontitis with menopause and hormone replacement therapy: a hospital cohort study using a common data model.J Periodontal Implant Sci.2023;53(3):184-193. doi:10.5051/jpis.2202480124American Dental Association.Oral-systemic health.Department of Health and Human Services.Where can I find low-cost dental care?Harvard T.H. Chan School of Pubic Health.Oral health. December 2022.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Periodontitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About periodontal (gum) disease.American Academy of Periodontology.Staging and grading periodontitis.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Reserach.Oral health in America: advances and challenges.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Periodontal (gum) disease).American Dental Association.Periodontitis.Lertpimonchai A, Rattanasiri S, Arj-Ong Vallibhakara S, Attia J, Thakkinstian A.The association between oral hygiene and periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Int Dent J. 2017;67(6):332-343. doi:10.1111/idj.12317Eke PI, Thornton-Evans GO, Wei L, Borgnakke WS, Dye BA, Genco RJ.Periodontitis in US Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2014.J Am Dent Assoc. 2018;149(7):576-588.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2018.04.023 (linking to PMC because full text found there, not at doi)American Academy of Periodontology.Gum disease risk factors.American Academy of Periodontology.FAQs.Figueiredo MGOP et al.Periodontal disease: Repercussions in pregnant woman and newborn health-a cohort study.PLoS One. 2019;14(11):e0225036. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225036Park KY, Kim MH, Choi SH, Pang EK.Association of periodontitis with menopause and hormone replacement therapy: a hospital cohort study using a common data model.J Periodontal Implant Sci.2023;53(3):184-193. doi:10.5051/jpis.2202480124American Dental Association.Oral-systemic health.Department of Health and Human Services.Where can I find low-cost dental care?Harvard T.H. Chan School of Pubic Health.Oral health. December 2022.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Periodontitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About periodontal (gum) disease.American Academy of Periodontology.Staging and grading periodontitis.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Reserach.Oral health in America: advances and challenges.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Periodontal (gum) disease).American Dental Association.Periodontitis.Lertpimonchai A, Rattanasiri S, Arj-Ong Vallibhakara S, Attia J, Thakkinstian A.The association between oral hygiene and periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Int Dent J. 2017;67(6):332-343. doi:10.1111/idj.12317Eke PI, Thornton-Evans GO, Wei L, Borgnakke WS, Dye BA, Genco RJ.Periodontitis in US Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2014.J Am Dent Assoc. 2018;149(7):576-588.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2018.04.023 (linking to PMC because full text found there, not at doi)American Academy of Periodontology.Gum disease risk factors.American Academy of Periodontology.FAQs.Figueiredo MGOP et al.Periodontal disease: Repercussions in pregnant woman and newborn health-a cohort study.PLoS One. 2019;14(11):e0225036. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225036Park KY, Kim MH, Choi SH, Pang EK.Association of periodontitis with menopause and hormone replacement therapy: a hospital cohort study using a common data model.J Periodontal Implant Sci.2023;53(3):184-193. doi:10.5051/jpis.2202480124American Dental Association.Oral-systemic health.Department of Health and Human Services.Where can I find low-cost dental care?Harvard T.H. Chan School of Pubic Health.Oral health. December 2022.
MedlinePlus.Periodontitis.
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Eke PI, Thornton-Evans GO, Wei L, Borgnakke WS, Dye BA, Genco RJ.Periodontitis in US Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2014.J Am Dent Assoc. 2018;149(7):576-588.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2018.04.023 (linking to PMC because full text found there, not at doi)
American Academy of Periodontology.Gum disease risk factors.
American Academy of Periodontology.FAQs.
Figueiredo MGOP et al.Periodontal disease: Repercussions in pregnant woman and newborn health-a cohort study.PLoS One. 2019;14(11):e0225036. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225036
Park KY, Kim MH, Choi SH, Pang EK.Association of periodontitis with menopause and hormone replacement therapy: a hospital cohort study using a common data model.J Periodontal Implant Sci.2023;53(3):184-193. doi:10.5051/jpis.2202480124
American Dental Association.Oral-systemic health.
Department of Health and Human Services.Where can I find low-cost dental care?
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Pubic Health.Oral health. December 2022.
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