Gum (Periodontal) Diseases

What is Periodontal (Gum) Disease?

Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place.  It's typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build up on the teeth and harden.  In advanced stages, periodontal disease can lead to sore, bleeding gums; painful chewing problems; and even tooth loss.

What are the Risk Factors for Gum Disease?

There are a number of risk factors for gum disease, but smoking is the most significant.  In fact, smoking can even jeopardize the success of treatment.  Depending on the extent of the gum disease, treatments can range from professional deep cleaning and medications to surgery.  While periodontal disease can be treated, more importantly, it can be prevented.  Daily brushing and flossing, regular dental check-ups, and quitting tobacco use are the best defense against periodontal disease.

To learn more about periodontal disease, please see:

Publications

• Periodontal (Gum) Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
• Periodontal Diseases
  A fact sheet that describes what periodontal diseases are and progress being made to better understand and treat these disorders. 

Publications in Spanish

• Enfermedad de las encías o enfermedad periodontal - Causas, síntomas y tratamientos
  Spanish version of "Periodontal (Gum) Diseases".  This brochure is for people with gum disease. It discusses the causes, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Clinical Trials

• Periodontal Diseases

News Releases and Articles

• Periodontal Disease in Senior Men (June 2009)
• Gene Change and Aggressive Periodontitis in African Americans (April 2009)
• Likely Early Biomarker for LAP Identified (March 2009)
• New Lead in Resolving Tissue Inflammation (January 2009)
• New Analysis of Periodontitis Prevalence (November 2008) 
• Localized Aggressive Periodontitis: Pinning Down the Long Suspected Role of Aa (April 2008) 
• Study Comparies Protein Expression of P. Gingivalis (February 2008)
• Study Evaluates Commensal and Pathogenic Bacteria of Oral Biofilm (August 2007)
• Periodontal Research: Pathways to Progress (July 2007)
• A Closer Look at Treating Chronic Periodontitis (March 2007) 
• Study Examines Impact of Rigorous Dental Care on Bacterial Profile in Subgingival Space (February 2007)  
• Scientists Identify New Resolvin (December 2006)
• Drug Shows Promise Preventing Periodontal Bone Loss (November 2006)
• Study Finds Periodontal Treatment Does Not Lower Preterm Birth Risk (November 2006)
• Study Takes Closer Look at Acquired Immunity in Periodontal Disease (April 2006)
• New Clues into Onset of Chronic Periodontitis (March 2006)
• Study Finds Periodontal Care Not Linked to Low Birthweight Babies (February 2006)
• Study Shows How P. Gingivalis Might Spread from Cell to Cell (January 2006)
• New Data Suggest Chronic Periodontitis Involves More Oral Bacteria Than Previously Thought (September 2005)
• Important Clue in How Certain Oral Bacteria Might Contribute to Heart Condition (August 2005)
• Evidence-Based Study of Periodontal Defects After Third Molar Surgery (August 2005)
• The Inside Scoop: Looking at the Periodontal-Systemic Disease Connection (July 2005) 
• Study Reappraises Periodontal-Cardiovascular Disease Link (July 2005)
• Scientists Describe Oral Bacterium's Interaction with Immune Cells (May 2005) 
• Study Finds Direct Association Between Cardiovascular Disease and Periodontal Bacteria (February 2005)
• NIDCR Launches Unique Initiative on Oral Biofilm (December 2004)
• New Lead in Refractory Periodontitis (November 2004)
• Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells Isolated for the First Time (July 2004)
• Periodontal Disease: Early Progress Reported in Tissue Engineering (May 2004)
• Scientists Finish Sequencing Genome of Oral Pathogen (March 2004)
• Scientists Report Important Lead in Studying Possible Association Between Periodontal and Cardiovascular Disease (August 2003)
• Scientists Sequence Genome of Major Periodontal Disease Bacterium (June 2001)

Statistics

• Periodontal Disease Statistics
  Latest statistics on the prevalence of periodontal disease in adults and seniors

Other Government Information

• MedlinePlus: Gum Disease
  The National Library of Medicine's compilation of links to government, professional and non-profit/voluntary organizations with information on periodontal disease and gingivitis.
  
• AHRQ Report: Effectiveness of Antimicrobial Adjuncts to Scaling and Root Planing Therapy for Periodontitis
  The National Library of Medicine's compilation of links to government, professional and non-profit/voluntary organizations with information on periodontal disease and gingivitis.

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