There are two main stage of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is early gum disease and occurs when dental plaque builds up on teeth and is not removed. If addressed early, the effects of gingivitis and be reversed.
Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease that can occur if gingivitis is not treated. If the plaque is not removed, it will harden into calculus and will be unable to be removed using a toothbrush. This will create ‘periodontal pockets’ between the gum and the tooth where bacteria can become trapped, causing further inflammation and subsequent bone loss. As the disease progresses and more bone is lost, the teeth will become mobile, ultimately ending in tooth loss. Predisposition to smoking, diabetes and obesity can cause a high risk of developing periodontitis. A 2018 study by the Australian Dental Association shows that periodontitis affects 19.8% of Australians.