The gums hold your teeth in place, and when bacteria build up they can cause gum disease. This can lead to pain, swelling, bleeding, and tooth loss. It has also been linked to a higher risk for other health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.

Mild gum disease is called gingivitis, and it’s reversible if you have good oral hygiene practices: brushing twice a day, flossing every day, and getting regular dental cleanings. The best way to prevent it from progressing to periodontitis is to catch it early.

Gum Disease: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention Tips

In this stage, the bacteria move below your gums and into the bone, causing pockets to form. The bacteria then irritate your gum tissue, and the chronic inflammatory response triggers bone and tissue destruction. The pockets deepen, and more plaque and bacteria form. The bone and tissue that holds your teeth in place is lost, and the roots of your teeth become loose.

Treatments may include a deep cleaning (known as scaling and root planing) that removes plaque and tartar above and below the gum line while you’re under local anesthesia, or antibiotics to fight infection. Bone grafts, where fragments of your own bone or synthetic material are used to replace damaged bone, can restore stability to your teeth. Soft tissue grafts can reinforce thin gums or fill in places where your gums have receded. You can also use new technology that encourages your body to regenerate bone and tissue at a faster rate, or gum surgery to repair damage.