The CDC has recently estimated that almost half of all Americans over the age of 30 have some form of periodontal disease. And because it tends to worsen with age, they also predicted that 70% of adults in the U.S. likely have (full) periodontal disease. Poor dental hygiene is the main reason, but there can be other contributing health factors such as diabetes and smoking.

The early stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis, which is when the gums appear swollen and red, and they often bleed easily. Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease; it can usually be reversed with good home care and professional treatment. Left untreated, it can advance into periodontitis (periodontal disease). At this stage, the supporting structures of teeth (gums, bone, and dental ligaments) begin to pull away and recede. This can be a serious problem because the progressive risk of increased infection and issues skyrockets.

The primary cause of periodontal disease is bacteria in the mouth. When bacteria stay on the teeth for too long, they form a thin film of plaque that eventually hardens into tartar (calculus). Eventually, these buildups can spread below the gum line, creating more places for bacteria to grow and plaque to accumulate, thus irritating the tissues surrounding the tooth. So, the best way to prevent periodontal disease is good oral hygiene—daily brushing and flossing. However, once the tartar starts building up between teeth and gums, it becomes very hard to clean by yourself, and only a dental health professional can effectively remove the buildups at this point. Because of this, you should visit your dentist at least every 6 months, so they can check for any of the early warning signs and risk factors for periodontal disease.

What are some of the early warning signs of periodontal disease? We might not always know what is going on inside our mouths, but we all know when something is not right. We each look at ourself and our smile every day in the mirror, and if we pay attention, we will notice when problems develop. Even if you haven’t had a dentist’s professional diagnosis, teeth that simply don’t look natural or healthy are a general early warning sign of periodontitis. The following are some specific warning signs of periodontal disease:

-Red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums -Bad breath (halitosis) or a persistent bad taste -Pain when chewing -Loose teeth -Sensitive teeth and gums -Gums that have pulled away from your teeth -Any change in the way your teeth feel or fit together when you bite -Partial dentures or bridges that don’t fit as well as they used to

Can you fix periodontal disease? One of your dentist’s most important goals is to catch any early warning signs, treat, and hopefully halt the progression of gingivitis and periodontal disease before things get any worse. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to completely reverse the damage, but there are definitely things they can do to help you heal and maintain the best oral health possible. If the periodontitis (inflammation of the gums, bones, and tissues that support the teeth in the jaw) has not progressed too far, here are several procedures and treatments available:

-periodontal cleanings (scaling) -root planing (smoothing the tooth root to remove tartar and calculus) -periodontal surgery, such as flap operations or removal of infected periodontal pockets (the space between teeth and gums) -periodontal splinting (stabilizing loose teeth) -periodontal dressing (sealing the periodontal pocket to enhance healing) Don’t hesitate to speak with your dental care provider about the best treatment options for you, as all cases are different.

Can periodontal disease kill you? This is a serious question, and the honest answer is both ‘yes’ and ‘it depends.’ It depends on how far it has progressed (although initial symptoms are usually painless), and it depends on so many other factors that, combined together, make up a person’s health and well-being. Oral health is important because it impacts how well we can eat, which affects us both physically and emotionally. Also, don’t forget that when the body detects infections in the gums and bone around teeth, it expends a lot of energy to fight it off, which takes a toll on the immune system–making a person more prone to other illnesses.

So, the real danger with periodontal disease is not that it is deadly all by itself in the way that you might think of other diseases (such as cancers), but because it is intricately connected with many aspects of our overall health. For instance, periodontitis has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, and diabetes. In other words, it’s not a disease that causes death on its own but leads to dangerous consequences that can be deadly if left untreated. It is always best to treat periodontal disease seriously and seek professional dental care immediately.