What is gum disease?

Gum disease means inflammation of the gums and tissues surrounding your teeth.

Both gingivitis (gin-ji-VY-tis) and periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis) are types of ‘periodontal (gum) disease’. They are linked.

Crucially, the inflammation does not resolve of its own accord, and it can not remove the plaque bacteria (the cause) on its own.

If gingivitis (which is reversible) progresses to periodontitis, it can lead to:

• Loosened teeth (which move with finger pressure or on chewing)
• Teeth which drift position or become gappy
• Complete loss of one or all of your teeth