Gum disease, also known as periodontitis (pronounced pair-ee-oh-DON-tis) is an inflammation of the gums. The gums are part of the mouth’s soft tissue and surround and support your teeth. When they are healthy, the gums are firm and pink. Untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss and serious health problems.

The main cause of gum disease is a buildup of plaque and tartar (pronounced TAR-tair) on your teeth and under the gum line. The bacteria in the plaque produce toxins that irritate and damage the gums. If you don’t brush or floss regularly, these toxins can harden into a crusty substance called calculus or tartar. This irritates and inflames the gums, causing them to bleed easily. If left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, which destroys the gum tissue and bones that hold your teeth in place.

Gum Disease: Prevention, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Other risk factors for gum disease include smoking, a poor diet that is high in sugar and starch, and certain health conditions, such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, which may make treatment less effective. Gum disease is also more common with age.

Gum disease can be treated with a dental cleaning that removes the tartar and plaque from your teeth. Your dentist or hygienist may also show you how to remove plaque successfully at home with proper brushing and flossing techniques. If you have severe gum disease, a procedure called a bone and tissue graft may be needed to restore the structure of your jawbone. This procedure uses fragments of your own bone, synthetic bone or donated bone to rebuild areas that have been destroyed by gum disease.