Gum disease is a gum inflammation that affects the surrounding bones and supports your teeth. It is caused by bacteria in plaque, a thick, colorless film that often forms on your teeth. If you don't brush and floss your teeth every day, plaque builds up, and bacteria not only infect gums and teeth, but also gum tissues and bone. This can cause them to relax, fall off, or have to be removed by a dentist.
There are three stages of gum disease:
Gingivitis: this is the earliest stage of gum disease and gum inflammation causes gum inflammation. If you brush your teeth and floss every day, you can't remove plaque from your teeth. It will produce toxins (poisons) that will stimulate the gum tissue and cause gingivitis. You may notice some bleeding while brushing and flossing. In the early stages of gum disease, damage can be improved, as the bone and connective tissue of the fixed teeth has not yet been affected.
Periodontitis: at this stage, bone and fiber damage that supports your teeth is irreversible. Your gums may start forming a pocket under the gum line, which will absorb food and plaque. Proper dental care and improved home care often help prevent further damage.
Periodontitis: in the final stage of gum disease, the tooth's fibers and bones can be damaged, causing teeth to shift or loosen. This can affect your bite, and if active treatment doesn't save them, teeth may need to be removed.
