Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults worldwide. Millions of adults suffer from gum disease in various stages but don’t realize the severity of damage underneath. Whilst many people think the main cause of tooth loss is due to deep decay or trauma, periodontal disease destroys the supportive structures holding your natural teeth firmly in place.

Learning how gum disease occurs, how it damages the bone underneath and how to prevent it will help protect your natural smile.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease (periodontal disease) is a progressive bacterial infection. It begins with a build up of transparent bacterial plaques along your gum line.

How Does Plaque Build Up?

As you eat, plaque will build up on your teeth. This is caused by food particles and saliva. If you don’t clean your teeth thoroughly everyday, the plaque will harden into a rough substance known as tartar or calculus within 24-48hrs.

How Does Tartar Build Up?

Once tartar has formed, it can’t be cleaned off at home. This rough texture causes plaque build up.

How Does The Immune Response Work?

Your immune system will try to fight off the bacteria within your mouth. White blood cells will travel to the area causing inflammation.

What Are The Main Stages Of Gum Disease?

Periodontal disease does not occur overnight. There are two main stages.

What Is Gingivitis (Mild)?

This is the mildest form of gum disease. Bacteria irritate the surface of your gums causing them to become red, inflamed and bleed easily. Gingivitis does not cause any permanent damage to the bone or ligament underneath. This can be fully reversed by having professional cleanings and looking after your teeth at home.

What Is Periodontitis (Severe)?

If you ignore gingivitis, the infection will worsen and become periodontitis. This causes the inner layer of your gums and bone to separate from your teeth. Deep pockets will form and contain microscopic food particles, harmful bacteria and toxins. This speeds up permanent damage.

How Does Gum Disease Cause Tooth Loss?

Many patients wonder how an infection in the gums can lead to the loss of their teeth. This is down to what happens to your body when there are high toxins present in your gums.

How Does Periodontal Ligament Damage Occur?

Strong small fibers known as periodontal ligaments attach your tooth roots to the bone. The aggressive bacteria will multiply in the deep pockets of your gums causing enzymes to break down the ligaments.

How Does Bone Loss (Resorption) Occur?

The immune system will release inflammatory chemicals to prevent the bacteria entering your blood. Unfortunately this causes osteoclast to become active and will breakdown your natural bone.

How Does Loss Of Attachment Cause Tooth Loss?

As your bone is breaking down and the ligaments are being broken down, your tooth will no longer have a firm attachment. This causes your tooth to become loose, move out of place whilst eating and ultimately fall out or need extracting.

What Are The Symptoms Of Periodontal Disease?

Recognizing symptoms early can help you get treatment at an early stage.

Why Do Gums Bleed?

One of the first symptoms is bleeding from your gums when flossing. You will notice blood on your toothbrush or in the sink.

How Does Gum Disease Cause Bad Breath?

The bacteria thrive in the deep pockets of your gums. They produce sulfur gases causing a bad taste in your mouth.

Why Do Gums Recede?

The gums will begin to shrink away from the infected root due to the irritation. This will cause your teeth to look longer.

What Do Red, Swollen & Sore Gums Look Like?

Healthy gums will look firm and pale pink. Diseased gums will look swollen, puffy, sore and dark red or purple.

What Does Pus Between Teeth & Gums Mean?

You may notice yellow pus coming from your gums when gently pressing on them. This shows you have an active infection.

Why Do Teeth Become Loose?

When you bite down you may feel your teeth moving. Or notice new gaps between your teeth. This shows you have severe bone loss.

What Are The Main Risk Factors For Gum Disease?

Whilst plaque is the direct cause of gum disease, there are many risk factors that will increase your chances of developing it.

How Does Smoking Or Tobacco Increase The Risk?

Smoking or chewing tobacco is one of the biggest risk factors for severe periodontitis. The toxins in tobacco will reduce blood flow to your gums, making your immune system weaker and slow healing.

How Does Diabetes Affect Gum Health?

Diabetes will weaken your bodies ability to fight infection. Having high blood sugar levels will increase the rate of bacteria growing in your mouth and cause faster bone loss.

How Does Poor Oral Hygiene Cause Gum Disease?

If you don’t brush and floss your teeth everyday, plaque will build up and form tartar. This creates the perfect environment for harmful bacteria.

How Do Hormonal Changes In Women Affect Gums?

During pregnancy, puberty and menopause your hormones will change meaning your gums become very sensitive.

How Do High Stress Levels Affect Gum Health?

If you suffer with high stress levels, this will cause your body to produce high levels of cortisol. This will weaken your immune system.

How Do Genetics Increase The Risk Of Gum Disease?

Some people have a genetic predisposition meaning their immune system over reacts to normal levels of plaque bacteria.

How Does A Dentist Diagnose Severe Gum Disease?

Dentists use specialized tools and digital x-rays to assess your gum disease.

How Is A Periodontal Probe Used?

A dentist or dental hygienist will use a thin ruler known as a periodontal probe to measure the small gap between your gums and teeth. Healthy pockets will measure 1-3mm. If they measure 4mm or more this shows you have periodontitis and bone loss.

What Does Bleeding Indicate?

Areas that bleed show you have an active infection.

How Do Digital X-Rays Detect Bone Loss?

Digital x-rays will show how high your bone is and how dense it is. This will show you any hidden bone loss around your tooth roots.

How Is Tooth Mobility Checked?

The dentist will gently tap your teeth to see if they are loose.

What Are The Treatments For Gum Disease And Tooth Loss?

Whilst you cannot easily regrow your bone, there are treatments available to stop the infection, remove the bacteria and stabilize your teeth.

How Does Scaling & Root Planing Treat Gum Disease?

This is known as a deep clean. The dentist will remove the hardened tartar and plaque from above and far below your gums. The rough surfaces of your teeth will be smoothed to stop bacteria attaching.

When Are Antibiotics Used For Gum Disease?

Antibiotic gels are often applied directly into your deep gum pockets. Or special mouthwashes may be prescribed.

What Is Flap Surgery (Pocket Reduction)?

If you have deep pockets, a periodontist will lift back your gums. This will allow them to clean the deep bone defects and smooth the uneven bone. They will then stitch your gums tightly around your tooth.

How Do Bone Grafts Help Treat Gum Disease?

In some cases of localized bone loss, a periodontist will place natural or artificial bone grafts with proteins to encourage your body to regrow your bone and ligament.

Why Is Periodontal Maintenance Important?

Patients who have had periodontitis will need to have specialized cleanings every 3-4 months to stop the bacteria growing in the deep pockets.

How Can You Prevent Periodontal Disease?

Preventing gum disease will require you to look after your oral hygiene and have regular professional check ups.

How Should You Brush Your Teeth?

Brush your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day. Use a soft bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste. Angle the brush at 45 degrees to your gum line to remove hidden plaque.

How Can Flossing Prevent Gum Disease?

Use floss, inter dental brushes or water flossers to remove plaque from between your teeth once a day.

How Can Mouthwash Help Prevent Gum Disease?

Use an alcohol free antibacterial mouthwash to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth and soothe your sensitive gums.

How Does A Balanced Diet Protect Your Gums?

Eating foods high in vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium and antioxidants will strengthen your immune system.

Why Should You Stop Using Tobacco?

Stopping smoking or chewing tobacco will improve blood flow to your gums, improve healing and reduce your risk of losing your teeth.

How Often Should You Have Regular Check Ups?

Visit your dental clinic every 6 months for regular check ups and cleanings.

What Are The Key Points To Remember About Gum Disease?

  • Gum disease is the main cause of tooth loss in adults.

  • Look out for symptoms of gingivitis such as red, inflamed and bleeding gums.

  • Advanced periodontitis will cause your periodontal ligaments and bone to break down.

  • Look out for symptoms such as bad breath, receding gums, pus and loose teeth.

  • Reduce your risk by managing the main controllable risk factors including tobacco, poor oral hygiene, high stress and uncontrolled diabetes.

  • Have professional deep cleanings such as scaling & root planing to stop infections.

  • Brush your teeth for 2 minutes, floss daily and visit your dentist every 6 months.

What Are The Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Disease And Tooth Loss?

Can Loose Teeth From Gum Disease Become Tight Again?

At an early stage of periodontitis, removing the infection with a deep clean will allow your inflamed tissue to heal and tighten. However, if you have severe bone loss, your tooth may stay loose and may need splinting, bone grafting or extraction.

Does Gum Disease Affect Your Body?

Yes. Periodontitis can affect your whole body. Bacteria from your deep pockets can enter your blood stream causing inflammation. Research shows chronic gum disease can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, lung infections, poor diabetes control and problems during pregnancy.

Is Gum Disease Fully Curable?

Gingivitis (early stage) is fully curable as no permanent damage is done to the bone and ligament. However, periodontitis (advanced) isn’t fully curable as your bone won’t regrow. However, it can be managed effectively by your dentist to prevent further tooth loss.

How Quickly Can Gum Disease Cause Tooth Loss?

It can vary greatly depending on your immune system, oral hygiene and if you smoke. Mild gingivitis can develop into damaging periodontitis over several years. However, aggressive periodontitis can cause severe bone loss and loose teeth within a few months.

Gum disease is a silent but damaging condition that can cause damage to the structures holding your smile. It destroys the periodontal ligaments and bone underneath your teeth, causing your teeth to become loose. However, by recognizing symptoms such as bleeding gums, looking after your teeth by brushing and flossing everyday, not smoking and having regular cleanings with your dental team will stop the infection, protect your bone and keep your healthy natural smile for life.