What are periodontal diseases?

Also known as: gum disease, gingivitis.

Periodontal disease is the medical term for gum disease. There are many types of gum disease.

Gingivitis is typically the mildest, and also the one that most people are familiar with. It causes redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums.

In severe cases of periodontal disease, bacteria erode gum and supporting bone tissue, causing gum recession, spaces between the teeth and gums, loosening and shifting teeth, and eventually tooth loss.

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Reviewed by: Lesbia Beatriz Drukteinis, DDS

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM