By the CDC's own measurement, about 42% of American adults over 30 have gum disease. Most don't know it, because the early stages are essentially painless. These articles explain what it is, who gets it, and what can honestly be done about it.
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Gum disease begins as gingivitis (inflammation where the gums meet the teeth) and can progress to periodontitis, where the tissue and bone supporting the teeth break down. Understanding the stages is the first step to catching it early.
NIDCR/NIH · StatPearlsBy the CDC's own measurement, about 42% of American adults over 30 have some form of gum disease; for adults 65 and older, it's about 60%. That makes it one of the most common chronic conditions in the country.
CDC NHANES · Eke et al.Early gum disease is essentially painless: there's usually no toothache to warn you, so the signs get ignored until the disease is advanced. Knowing what to look for matters precisely because your mouth won't tell you.
StatPearls/NIH · NIDCRBleeding gums are often one of the earliest signs of gum disease, though technique, medications, and pregnancy can also play a role. With consistent daily cleaning between the teeth, the bleeding usually fades within about a week.
ADA · NIDCR/NIHPeriodontitis breaks down the bone and tissue that anchor teeth, which is why it's a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. We also look at a five-year NIH-funded study of older adults that linked daily flossing with keeping more teeth: an association, not a guarantee.
NIDCR/CDC · Marchesan J Dent Res 2020Gingivitis, the earliest stage, is the one dentists generally consider reversible with consistent daily care and professional cleaning. The strongest clinical reviews find that cleaning between the teeth reduces gum inflammation; the certainty is modest, and we explain exactly what that means.
NIDCR/NIH · Cochrane CD012018Smoking and diabetes are two of the clearest risk factors, and prevalence climbs with age: about 60% of adults 65 and older have gum disease. But "lower risk" doesn't mean no risk, and we walk through that nuance honestly.
CDC · NIDCR/NIHFrom professional deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) to periodontal surgery for advanced cases, treatment depends on how far the disease has progressed. A plain-language walk-through of what each option involves and what to ask your dentist.
NIDCR/NIH