Gum Disease (Periodontitis)
Gum disease is sneaky. Most people first notice a little blood when they brush, or a bad taste that keeps coming back. Later the teeth start to look longer, food packs between them, and one day a tooth feels a bit loose. It almost never hurts until it's well along, which is exactly why so many adults have it and don't know.
Gum disease is long-term inflammation of the gums and bone around your teeth, driven by plaque. It starts as gingivitis (red gums that bleed), which is fully reversible. Untreated, it can become periodontitis, with deep pockets, receding gums, bone loss and loose teeth. That bone loss is permanent but controllable. It isn't contagious in practice. If gums bleed for more than 2 weeks, get a dental exam.
Not sure this is what you have? Answer five quick questions in our mouth spot checker. It compares what you see with more than 40 common conditions and tells you how soon to have it looked at.
- What gum disease looks like
- Gum disease symptoms and signs
- What causes gum disease?
- Gum disease stages: gingivitis to periodontitis
- Periodontitis staging and grading
- Gum disease vs. gingivitis vs. healthy gums
- Receding gums and brushing too hard
- Other things that look like gum disease
- Loose teeth in adults
- Can gum disease be reversed or cured?
- Gum disease treatment at home
- Mouthwash and toothpaste for gum disease
- Gum disease treatment at the dentist
- What gum disease does to your body
- Preventing gum disease
- Pregnancy, cancer treatment and other special cases
- When to see a dentist
- FAQ
What does gum disease look like?
Healthy gums are firm and pale or coral pink (or evenly brown in people with more pigment). They hug each tooth tightly and come to a thin point in the gaps between teeth. Gum disease changes that picture in a fairly predictable order.
- Early (gingivitis): the edge of the gum next to the teeth turns red or darker, looks puffy or shiny, and bleeds when you brush or floss.
- Moderate: the gums start to pull away from the teeth. Teeth look a little longer, and you may see yellow or brown tartar along the gumline.
- Advanced: gums have receded down the roots, dark triangles open up between the teeth, teeth may drift, fan out or tip, and you might see pus when you press on the gum.
One thing pictures of gum disease don't show well: in smokers and people who vape, the gums can look pale and fairly normal even with serious disease underneath, because nicotine reduces bleeding. And plenty of people with periodontitis have gums that look fine from the outside. The damage is below the gumline, where only a probe and an X-ray can see it.
Gum disease symptoms and early signs
The early signs of gum disease are easy to shrug off. Watch for:
- Gums that bleed when you brush, floss or eat something crunchy. Pink in the sink is the earliest and most common sign.
- Red, swollen or tender gums.
- Bad breath or a bad taste that comes back soon after brushing.
- Gums pulling back so teeth look longer, or roots that are sensitive to cold.
- Food packing into new spaces between teeth.
- Loose or shifting teeth, new gaps, front teeth fanning out, or a bite that feels different.
- Pus between the gum and tooth, or a pimple-like bump on the gum.
What does gum disease feel like?
Usually, nothing much. That's the frustrating part. Some people feel a mild ache or itch in the gums, tenderness when chewing, or a sense that their teeth don't fit together the way they used to. Sharp pain, throbbing and swelling are more typical of a gum abscess or a tooth abscess than of everyday periodontitis.
What does gum disease smell and taste like?
People describe the smell as sour, rotten or sulfur-like. The bacteria living in deep gum pockets break down proteins and give off sulfur gases, which is why gum disease is one of the common dental reasons for bad breath that won't quit. The taste is often metallic (from blood) or salty and foul (from pus). Our page on bad breath covers the other causes, including the tongue, tonsils and sinuses.
What causes gum disease?
Plaque starts it. Plaque is the sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth every day. When it sits along the gumline, the gums get inflamed. Over time plaque hardens into tartar and creeps under the gum, and in some people the body's own inflammatory response starts breaking down the fibers and bone that hold the teeth. Bacteria start the fire, but the way your immune system reacts decides how much damage it does.
That's why two people with similar brushing habits can have very different gums. These things raise your risk:
- Smoking. One of the strongest risk factors there is. Smokers are more likely to get periodontitis, it progresses faster, and it responds less well to treatment.
- Vaping and nicotine pouches. The research is younger, but it's pointing the same direction as smoking. We wrote about the growing evidence on vaping and gum disease on our blog.
- Diabetes, especially when blood sugar runs high. This one goes both ways, which we explain below.
- Genetics. Gum disease runs in families. Twin studies suggest genes account for a large share of how susceptible a person is.
- Stress and poor sleep, which affect immune response and often go along with less careful home care.
- Medications that dry the mouth, or that make gums overgrow, such as phenytoin (Dilantin), cyclosporine and some calcium channel blockers like amlodipine.
- Hormone changes in puberty and pregnancy, which make gums react more strongly to plaque.
- Plaque traps: crowded teeth, old fillings with ledges, crowns with open edges and partial dentures that collect plaque.
- Weakened immunity from HIV, chemotherapy or transplant medicines.
Gum disease stages: from gingivitis to periodontitis
"Gum disease" covers two different things. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums only. Nothing permanent has happened yet. Periodontitis (periodontal disease) means the inflammation has started to destroy the attachment between gum and tooth and the bone underneath.
Your dentist checks for this by gently sliding a thin, millimeter-marked probe into the small groove between each tooth and its gum. In health, it stops at 1 to 3 mm. Swollen gums from gingivitis can read a bit deeper without any real damage. In periodontitis, the groove has become a pocket of 4 mm, 5 mm or more, and X-rays show the bone level has dropped.
Not everyone with gingivitis goes on to periodontitis. Many people have gum inflammation on and off for years without losing bone. Smoking, diabetes and genetics have a lot to do with who does. There's no way to know which group you're in from looking in the mirror, so treating bleeding gums early is the safe bet.
Periodontitis stages and grades (2017 AAP/EFP system)
Since 2017, dentists and periodontists have described periodontitis with two labels, a stage and a grade, under a system from the American Academy of Periodontology and the European Federation of Periodontology. The old terms "chronic" and "aggressive" periodontitis were retired. If your chart says something like "Stage III, Grade B," here's what it means.
| Periodontitis stage | In plain language | Typical findings |
|---|---|---|
| Stage I (initial) | Early bone loss | 1–2 mm of lost attachment, bone loss under 15% of the root, pockets up to 4 mm, no teeth lost to gum disease |
| Stage II (moderate) | Established but still fairly simple to treat | 3–4 mm of lost attachment, bone loss of 15–33%, pockets up to 5 mm |
| Stage III (severe) | Significant damage; teeth are at risk | 5 mm or more of lost attachment, bone loss into the middle third of the root or beyond, pockets of 6 mm or more, up to 4 teeth lost to gum disease |
| Stage IV (advanced) | Damage that affects how the whole mouth works | Like stage III, plus 5 or more teeth lost, drifting or flaring teeth, a collapsing bite, or trouble chewing |
| Grade | Rate of progression | What usually puts you here |
|---|---|---|
| Grade A | Slow | Little or no new bone loss over 5 years; non-smoker, no diabetes |
| Grade B | Moderate | The expected pace for the amount of plaque; smoking under 10 cigarettes a day, or diabetes with A1c under 7% |
| Grade C | Rapid | More bone loss than expected for your age or plaque level; smoking 10 or more cigarettes a day, or A1c of 7% or higher |
Grade B is the starting assumption, and the dentist moves it up or down based on X-ray history and risk factors. The useful part for you: grade can change. Quitting smoking and bringing blood sugar under control are two of the few things that can actually slow the disease down.
Gum disease vs. gingivitis vs. healthy gums
People search "gum disease vs gingivitis" a lot, and the honest answer is that gingivitis is gum disease, just the earliest and reversible stage of it. When dentists say "gum disease" without qualifying it, they usually mean periodontitis. Here's how normal gums, gingivitis and periodontitis compare.
| Healthy gums | Gingivitis | Periodontitis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Pale or coral pink, or evenly pigmented | Red or darker at the edges | Red, purplish, or surprisingly normal |
| Shape | Thin, tight edge; pointed between teeth | Puffy, rounded, shiny | Receded, rolled, dark triangles between teeth |
| Bleeding | None | With brushing and flossing | Often, though smokers may not bleed |
| Probe depth | 1–3 mm | 2–4 mm from swelling, no lost attachment | 4 mm or more with lost attachment |
| Bone on X-ray | Normal | Normal | Bone level has dropped |
| Loose teeth | No | No | Possible, especially stages III and IV |
| Reversible? | N/A | Yes, completely | No, but it can be stopped and kept stable |
Periodontal disease vs. gingivitis comes down to one question: has bone been lost? A gum exam with pocket measurements and dental X-rays answers it. That's a routine part of a comprehensive dental exam, and our digital X-rays let us compare bone levels over the years.
Receding gums: gum disease vs. brushing too hard
Receding gums don't always mean gum disease. Recession has two very different main causes, and the fix depends on which one you have.
| Recession from gum disease | Recession from brushing too hard | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Often all around the tooth, including between teeth, so dark triangles appear | On the cheek side, often canines and premolars on the side opposite your brushing hand |
| Gums | May be red, bleeding, with tartar nearby | Usually pink, healthy and very clean |
| Teeth | Can get loose as bone is lost | Stay firm; may have notches worn at the gumline |
| Pockets | Deep | Shallow |
| What helps | Deep cleaning and maintenance | Soft brush, lighter pressure, an electric brush with a pressure sensor |
Other receding gums causes
- Thin gums and thin bone, which some people are born with.
- Tooth position. A tooth that sits outside the arch often has thin bone over its root, which explains receding gums on one tooth.
- Orthodontic movement that pushes roots toward thin bone.
- Lip and tongue piercings rubbing on the gum.
- Tobacco and nicotine products held in one spot. Snus and chewing tobacco have long been linked to recession right where the pouch sits. Nicotine pouches such as Zyn are newer and the research is still thin, but early reports describe gum irritation and recession at the spot where people keep them. Moving the pouch around doesn't fix the problem. Quitting does.
Receding gums on the bottom teeth are especially common. The lower front teeth often have very thin bone over the roots, tartar builds up fastest behind them, and a tight lip muscle attachment can pull on the gum.
Receding gums stages and treatment
Dentists classify recession by how far the gum has moved and, more importantly, whether the gum and bone between the teeth are also gone. When that in-between tissue is intact, a gum graft can often cover the exposed root well. When it's been lost to periodontitis, full coverage is much less likely.
Gums don't grow back on their own. Receding gums treatment starts with stopping whatever is causing it, then managing the exposed root:
- Sensitivity toothpaste with potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride, used daily
- Fluoride varnish or prescription fluoride, since roots decay more easily than enamel
- Tooth-colored bonding over worn notches at the gumline
- A gum graft, done by a periodontist, when recession is progressing, the root is very sensitive, or appearance matters to you
Other things that look like gum disease
| Condition | How it differs from periodontitis |
|---|---|
| Trench mouth (necrotizing gum disease) | Comes on fast and hurts a lot. The gum points between teeth look gray and punched out, the breath is foul, and there may be fever. Needs prompt care. |
| Gum abscess or tooth abscess | One swollen, throbbing spot, sometimes with a pimple on the gum that drains pus. A gum abscess can form inside a deep periodontal pocket. Same-day care. |
| Pericoronitis | Swollen, sore gum flap over a partly erupted wisdom tooth, often with a bad taste and trouble opening wide. Limited to the back of the mouth. |
| Pregnancy gingivitis | Puffy, bleeding gums from hormones exaggerating the reaction to plaque. No bone loss, and it usually settles after delivery. |
| Diabetes-related gum changes | Same disease, but often more severe and faster when blood sugar is high. See diabetes and your mouth. |
| Leukemia-related gum swelling (rare) | Gums swell and bleed quickly with little plaque, often with bruising, fatigue, fevers or infections. Needs a same-week visit with your physician. |
Loose teeth in adults
Adult teeth are supposed to be firm, apart from a tiny bit of normal give. Periodontitis is the most common reason an adult tooth gets loose, because the bone around it has been lost. Other causes include a blow to the mouth, heavy clenching or grinding, an infection at the tip of the root, and, rarely, a cyst or tumor in the jaw.
Don't wait on a loose tooth. A tooth that's loose from gum disease can sometimes be stabilized if it's treated in time, and one that's loose from an injury or infection needs to be seen quickly. Call us the same day if it's loose along with swelling, pus, pain or fever.
Can gum disease be reversed or cured?
Gingivitis can be reversed. Remove the plaque and tartar, keep them away, and the gums go back to normal, usually within a couple of weeks.
Periodontitis can't be reversed, but it can be controlled. The bone that's been lost won't grow back on its own. What treatment can do is stop the infection, shrink the pockets, let the gum tighten back against the tooth, and keep things stable for decades. Specialists sometimes regrow a limited amount of bone with surgery in specific defects, but that's the exception.
So is gum disease curable? Think of periodontitis like high blood pressure or diabetes: it's managed rather than cured. Once you've had it, you're more likely to have it flare again, which is why maintenance cleanings every 3 or 4 months matter so much after treatment. And it won't go away on its own. It may feel quieter for a while, but the bacteria in deep pockets stay put until they're cleaned out.
Gum disease treatment at home
Home care can reverse gingivitis by itself. For periodontitis, home care alone can't reach the tartar in deep pockets, but it's what keeps your gums stable after a professional deep cleaning. Without it, the pockets come back.
- Brush twice a day for 2 minutes with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste. Tilt the bristles toward the gumline and use small, gentle strokes. An electric brush with a pressure sensor helps if you tend to scrub.
- Clean between every tooth once a day. Interdental brushes work very well where gum loss has opened up the spaces. Floss fits tight contacts. A water flosser is a good option around bridges, implants and braces.
- Curve the floss into a C around each tooth and slide it gently just under the gum, rather than snapping straight down.
- Expect some bleeding at first. It should ease within a week or two of daily cleaning. Bleeding that doesn't settle means there's tartar or a deeper problem.
- Add an antiseptic rinse if you like, after brushing and cleaning between teeth, not instead of them.
- Quit smoking, vaping and nicotine pouches. It's the single biggest thing you can change. Gums may bleed more for a few weeks after quitting as blood flow returns. That's a good sign.
- Keep your maintenance visits. No home routine reaches the bottom of a 5 or 6 mm pocket.
Things that won't cure gum disease
- Mouthwash alone. It can't get through tartar or reach the bottom of a pocket.
- Oil pulling, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide or salt rinses as your main treatment. Salt water can soothe sore gums, but none of these remove tartar.
- Leftover antibiotics. Pills alone don't treat periodontitis, and the wrong one can do more harm than good.
- Products promising to "regrow gums." Gum tissue doesn't grow back from a toothpaste or supplement.
Mouthwash and toothpaste for gum disease
Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance, which means the maker showed the product does what it claims. These help alongside brushing and cleaning between teeth. None of them replace a deep cleaning when there's tartar under the gum.
| Product | What it does | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Stannous fluoride toothpaste | Reduces plaque and gum bleeding, fights cavities on exposed roots, and eases sensitivity | Can cause light surface stain in some people that polishes off at cleanings |
| Sensitivity toothpaste (potassium nitrate) | Calms sensitive roots after recession | Takes 2 to 4 weeks of daily use to work fully |
| Antiseptic mouthwash (cetylpyridinium chloride or essential oils, such as Listerine) | Modest extra reduction in plaque and gingivitis | Use as the label directs. Pick alcohol-free if you have dry mouth. Not for young children who may swallow it. |
| Interdental brushes | Clean the wider spaces that open up with gum disease | Choose a size that slides in snugly without forcing. You may need more than one size. |
| Water flosser | Flushes plaque from between teeth and around implants and bridges | Good for people who struggle with floss |
| Benzocaine gel | Short-term numbing for a sore spot | Rarely needed. Not for children under 2 (FDA warning about a rare blood disorder). Pain that needs it is a reason to come in. |
Chlorhexidine rinse (Peridex, PerioGard) is stronger and is prescription-only in the U.S. It's used for limited periods because it stains teeth and changes taste.
Gum disease treatment at the dentist
Treatment follows the stage and grade, and it usually goes in steps. Here's what that typically looks like in our office. Every mouth is different, so your plan may not include all of these.
- Exam with gum measurements. We measure pocket depths around every tooth, note bleeding and gum recession, check for loose teeth, and take dental X-rays to see the bone. That's how we tell gingivitis from periodontitis and assign a stage and grade.
- Regular cleaning and coaching for gingivitis. We'll show you exactly where plaque is being missed and which tools fit your spaces.
- Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) for periodontitis. We clean tartar and bacteria off the root surfaces below the gumline, usually numbing one area at a time for comfort. Most people say the gums feel tender for a few days afterward.
- Re-evaluation about 6 to 8 weeks later, when we measure the pockets again to see how the gums responded.
- Periodontal maintenance, usually every 3 months at first. It's a deeper, more focused visit than a regular cleaning, and it's what keeps the disease from coming back.
- Prescription medicines in selected cases, such as a short course of chlorhexidine rinse, or occasionally antibiotic pills for fast-moving disease. Some offices also place a slow-release antibiotic directly into a stubborn pocket (Arestin is one brand). It's an add-on to deep cleaning, not a replacement, and a periodontist can tell you whether it fits your case.
- Fixing plaque traps like rough fillings or crowns with gaps at the edge.
- Coordinating with your physician when diabetes, heart conditions, blood thinners or other medical issues are part of the picture. Our page on care for medically complex patients explains how that works.
- Referral to a periodontist (a gum specialist) when pockets stay deep after a deep cleaning, or when you need gum surgery, bone regeneration or gum grafting.
When teeth can't be saved, we'll talk through options for replacing them, including dental implants. Implants need healthy, stable gums too, so getting periodontitis under control comes first.
Periodontal disease treatment cost
Costs vary with how many areas need treatment and what your insurance covers, so we can't give one number that fits everyone. Deep cleaning is usually billed by section of the mouth, and periodontal maintenance is billed differently from a regular cleaning. Many dental plans cover part of both. We'll give you a written estimate and check your benefits before we start. Treating it early is almost always cheaper than replacing teeth later.
What does gum disease do to your body?
You'll read a lot of alarming headlines about this. Here's what the research actually supports. People with periodontitis have higher rates of several health problems. For most of them, scientists have shown an association, not proof that gum disease causes them. Shared risk factors like smoking, diabetes, age and income explain part of the overlap. The rest is still being studied.
- Heart disease and stroke. People with periodontitis have more heart and blood vessel disease. The American Heart Association reviewed the evidence and concluded it supports an association, but not that gum disease causes heart disease or that treating it prevents heart attacks.
- Diabetes: a two-way street. High blood sugar makes periodontitis more likely and more severe. In the other direction, periodontitis makes blood sugar harder to control. Studies show that treating gum disease in people with diabetes lowers A1c modestly, by about 0.3 to 0.5 percentage points at 3 months. That's a real benefit, but it's not a substitute for diabetes care.
- Pregnancy. Periodontitis has been linked with preterm birth and low birth weight. Gum treatment during pregnancy is safe, but trials haven't shown that it lowers the risk of preterm birth.
- Blood pressure. Studies find people with periodontitis are more likely to have high blood pressure, and a few small trials saw blood pressure dip after gum treatment. It's an association worth knowing about, not a proven cause.
- Other conditions studied for links include rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, pneumonia in hospital and nursing home patients, Alzheimer's disease and certain cancers. We covered the cancer research in gum disease and cancer risk on our blog.
The fair takeaway: healthy gums are worth having for their own sake, and if you have diabetes, treating your gums may help your numbers.
Preventing gum disease
- Clean between your teeth every day, not just before a dental visit. Most periodontitis starts between teeth.
- Get regular checkups with gum measurements. Every 6 months suits most people. After periodontitis, it's usually every 3 to 4 months.
- Don't smoke, vape or use nicotine pouches.
- Keep diabetes under control, and tell us if your A1c changes.
- Treat dry mouth. Saliva helps clear plaque. Water, sugar-free gum and a medication review can help.
- Tell us about family history. If a parent lost teeth to gum disease, we'll watch your gums more closely.
Pregnancy, cancer treatment and other special cases
Pregnancy
Pregnancy hormones make gums swell and bleed more easily, especially in the second and third trimesters. Dental cleanings and deep cleanings are safe during pregnancy, and the second trimester is usually the most comfortable time. If you already have periodontitis, getting it treated before or early in pregnancy is reasonable. Tell us you're pregnant so we can plan X-rays and medicines around it.
Cancer treatment
Chemotherapy and head and neck radiation make gum infections more likely and harder to heal, and dry mouth after radiation speeds up plaque buildup. Getting periodontitis under control before treatment starts is one of the most useful things you can do for your mouth. Our head and neck cancer dental care page explains what we do before, during and after treatment, and our blog post on cancer and dental health covers the broader picture.
Diabetes, HIV and weakened immunity
Gum disease tends to be more severe and progress faster when the immune system is under strain. Swollen or bleeding gums should be checked sooner, and any gum swelling with fever needs same-day care.
Teens and young adults
Periodontitis is mostly an adult disease, but a rare fast-moving form can appear in teens and young adults, often around the first molars and front teeth, sometimes with little plaque. A teen with a loose permanent tooth or gums pulling back should be seen promptly. Regular checkups through childhood are part of our family care.
When to see a dentist about gum disease
Make an appointment if:
- Your gums still bleed after 2 weeks of careful brushing and daily flossing
- Your gums are receding or your teeth look longer
- You have bad breath or a bad taste that won't go away
- Food is suddenly packing between teeth, or new gaps have appeared
- You have diabetes, are pregnant, or smoke or vape and haven't had a gum exam in the past year
- It's been more than a year since your last cleaning
Get care today if:
- A tooth is loose, has shifted, or your bite suddenly feels different
- You see pus, or there's a pimple-like bump on your gum
- You have swelling in your gum, face or jaw
- You have gum pain along with a fever or feel unwell
- Your gums suddenly hurt a lot and the points between the teeth look gray or dead
- Your gums bleed on their own, or along with easy bruising or unusual tiredness
Swelling that spreads toward the eye or neck, or trouble swallowing or breathing, needs the emergency room. For other urgent problems, see our emergency dental care page.
Gum disease FAQ
What does gum disease look like?
Early gum disease looks like red or darker gum edges that are puffy and bleed when you brush. As it advances, the gums pull back so teeth look longer, tartar builds up along the gumline, and dark triangles open between the teeth. In advanced cases teeth drift or loosen and pus may appear. Healthy gums, by contrast, are firm, pale pink or evenly pigmented, and fit tightly around each tooth.
What does gum disease feel like?
Often it doesn't feel like anything, which is why it goes unnoticed. Some people have tender or itchy gums, soreness when chewing, sensitive roots, or teeth that feel slightly loose or don't fit together the way they used to. Throbbing pain and swelling point more toward an abscess and should be seen the same day.
What does gum disease smell like?
Gum disease usually causes a sour, rotten or sulfur-like breath odor that comes back soon after brushing. It comes from bacteria in the gum pockets breaking down proteins and releasing sulfur gases. Many people also notice a metallic or foul, salty taste from bleeding or pus.
Can gum disease be reversed?
The early stage, gingivitis, can be completely reversed by removing plaque and tartar and keeping them away. Periodontitis can't be reversed, because the bone that's been lost doesn't grow back on its own. It can be stopped and kept stable with a deep cleaning, good home care and regular maintenance visits.
Can gum disease be cured?
Gingivitis can be cured. Periodontitis is better thought of as controlled rather than cured, much like high blood pressure. After treatment the pockets shrink and the disease can stay quiet for decades, but it can flare again, so maintenance cleanings every 3 to 4 months and daily cleaning between teeth are part of the long-term plan.
Can gum disease go away on its own?
No. Gingivitis goes away only when the plaque causing it is removed, and periodontitis needs professional cleaning to clear the tartar and bacteria in deep pockets. Symptoms can quiet down for a while, which makes it seem better, but the damage usually keeps progressing slowly underneath.
Is periodontal disease contagious? Can it spread by kissing?
Not in the way a cold is. The bacteria involved can pass between people through saliva, including by kissing or sharing utensils, but most adults already carry them. Whether you develop periodontitis depends mainly on your own plaque control, immune response, genetics, smoking and diabetes, not on picking it up from someone else.
Can gum disease cause heart disease?
People with gum disease have higher rates of heart and blood vessel disease, but the American Heart Association has concluded that the evidence shows an association, not proof that gum disease causes heart disease. The two share risk factors like smoking and diabetes. Treating gum disease is worthwhile for your mouth, but it hasn't been shown to prevent heart attacks.
Can gum disease cause high blood pressure?
Studies find that people with periodontitis are more likely to have high blood pressure, and a few small trials saw blood pressure drop slightly after gum treatment. That's an association, not proof of cause. If you have both, keep working with your physician on blood pressure and with your dentist on your gums.
Can gum disease kill you?
Ordinary gum disease isn't directly fatal. Rarely, a dental or gum abscess can spread into the face, neck or bloodstream and become dangerous, which is why swelling with fever needs same-day care. Large studies link periodontitis with higher rates of heart disease and earlier death, but they show an association rather than proof that gum disease is the cause.
Can gum disease cause headaches?
Gum disease itself rarely causes headaches. Head and face pain from the mouth more often comes from a tooth abscess, clenching or grinding, or jaw joint problems. If you have headaches along with facial swelling, fever or a painful tooth, see a dentist promptly.
Can gum disease be genetic?
Yes, partly. Gum disease runs in families, and twin studies suggest genes account for a large share of how susceptible someone is. Genes don't make gum disease inevitable, but if a parent lost teeth to it, you'll benefit from closer monitoring, careful home care and not smoking.
What does gum disease do to your body?
In the mouth, it destroys the bone holding the teeth and can lead to tooth loss. Beyond the mouth, periodontitis is associated with heart disease, harder-to-control diabetes, pregnancy complications and several other conditions. The diabetes link is two-way and has the strongest evidence: treating gum disease lowers A1c modestly in people with diabetes. For most other conditions, research shows a link but not proof of cause.
How much does periodontal disease treatment cost?
It depends on how many areas of the mouth need deep cleaning, whether extra treatment or a specialist is needed, and your insurance. Deep cleaning is usually billed by section of the mouth, and maintenance visits are billed differently from regular cleanings. Many dental plans cover part of the cost. Ask for a written estimate before treatment starts.
Bleeding gums or teeth that feel different?
If you're in the Jacksonville area and your gums bleed, look like they're pulling back, or your teeth feel loose, we're glad to take a look. We'll measure your gums, check the bone on X-rays, tell you plainly what stage you're at, and lay out a plan to get it under control.
Related conditions
Sources
- Papapanou PN, Sanz M, Buduneli N, et al. Periodontitis: consensus report of workgroup 2 of the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions. J Periodontol. 2018;89(Suppl 1):S173–S182.
- Tonetti MS, Greenwell H, Kornman KS. Staging and grading of periodontitis: framework and proposal of a new classification and case definition. J Periodontol. 2018;89(Suppl 1):S159–S172.
- Sanz M, Herrera D, Kebschull M, et al. Treatment of stage I–III periodontitis: the EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline. J Clin Periodontol. 2020;47(Suppl 22):4–60.
- Sanz M, Ceriello A, Buysschaert M, et al. Scientific evidence on the links between periodontal diseases and diabetes: consensus report and guidelines of the joint workshop by the International Diabetes Federation and the European Federation of Periodontology. J Clin Periodontol. 2018;45(2):138–149.
- Eke PI, Thornton-Evans GO, Wei L, et al. Periodontitis in US adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009–2014. J Am Dent Assoc. 2018;149(7):576–588.
- Lockhart PB, Bolger AF, Papapanou PN, et al. Periodontal disease and atherosclerotic vascular disease: does the evidence support an independent association? A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2012;125(20):2520–2544.
This page is for general education and isn't a diagnosis. Every mouth is different. If you have a sore you're worried about, see your dentist or physician. Photos marked Wikimedia Commons are used under their listed licenses and may have been cropped or resized.