What is gum disease?
Gum disease is inflammation of the tissues that support teeth and attach them to the jaw. In the early stages, the disease only involves soft gum tissue and is called gingivitis. Later, the disease may spread to the bone and is called periodontitis. In gingivitis, the gums are usually red and swollen, and often bleed during tooth brushing. As the disease progresses, gums shrink and teeth may loosen as the bone underneath is destroyed. Eventually, some teeth may fall out or have to be removed by your dentist. Gum disease is often associated with bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
