Gum (Periodontal) Disease
About 4 in 10 adults aged 30 years or older had gum (periodontal) diseases in 2009–2014. Gum disease is mainly the result of infections and inflammation of the gums and bone that surround and support the teeth. Certain chronic conditions increase one’s risk for periodontal disease including diabetes, a weakened immune system, poor oral hygiene, and heredity.
Tobacco use is also an important risk factor for gum disease. If early forms of periodontal diseases are not treated, the bone that supports the teeth can be lost, and the gums can become infected. Teeth with little bone support can become loose and may eventually have to be extracted.
Read more at: https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/index.html
