Once gingivitis sets in, it causes the gums to separate from the teeth, which allows more bacteria into the cavity, furthering the infection. The gum line recedes, and the gums appear reddened. This stage of gum disease is known as periodontitis. During this stage, the tissues that hold the teeth in place begin to break down, causing teeth to become loose or fall out.
Am I At Risk?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of all American adults over the age of 30 have reached this second stage of gum disease (periodontitis). By the age of 65, those figures have increased to 70 percent.
Age isn’t the only risk factor that affects your likelihood of developing gum disease. According to Prevention Magazine, other risk factors include:
- smoking or using tobacco products
- pregnancy
- family history of gum disease
- diabetes
- chronic stress
- tooth grinding
- some birth control methods