Gum Disease

Gum disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. Gum disease causes more tooth loss in adults than even tooth decay. This section of Health and Medicine website discusses tooth and gum disease.

What causes gum disease?

One of the main causes of gum disease is plaque.

What is plaque?

Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that is constantly forming on your teeth. If plaque is allowed to build up on your teeth and along your gum line, it can cause your gums to become infected and swollen.

Am I at risk for gum disease?

Yes, gum disease can affect you at any age; however, it most often affects adults. In fact, about three out of four adults over age 35 have gum disease now or have had it in the past.

Are smokers more at risk for gum disease?

Your risk of getting gum disease may increase if you smoke or have certain medical conditions. Smokers are more likely to have gum disease. It is therefore vital to keep your dentist informed of your general health.

Can I tell if I have gum disease? How do I detect gum disease? What does gum disease look like?

This is what gum disease looks like - You may have gum disease if you notice that:

• Your gums are tender, swollen, or red.
• Your gums bleed when you brush or floss.
• You can't get rid of bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth.
• There's pus from your gumline or between your teeth.
• Your teeth are loose or separating.
• Your teeth or dentures no longer fit together correctly.

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