Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It often starts with plaque buildup from gaps in daily oral hygiene, but genetics, smoking, diabetes, and some medications can raise your risk as well. Because so much of what people hear about it is outdated or simply wrong, many people miss the early signs or delay care that would have been simple. Below, we separate fact from fiction on the most common gum disease myths.
At Boston Smile Center in Brookline, gum health is part of every exam, and our team includes an on-staff, board-certified periodontist. That means the questions below are ones we answer for patients every week, and the facts here reflect how gum disease is actually diagnosed and treated.
Myth #1: Gum Disease Is Rare
Many people assume gum disease is uncommon and unlikely to affect them. In reality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 42% of adults aged 30 and older have periodontitis, and about 8% have severe periodontitis. Because it is so common, it is worth knowing the warning signs, which include:
- Gums that are red, swollen, or tender to the touch
- Gum recession or teeth that appear to be getting longer
- Bleeding gums when you brush or floss
- Halitosis, or persistent bad breath
- Loose teeth or tooth loss
- Pain when you chew
- Sensitive teeth
Having one of these signs does not automatically mean you have gum disease, but any of them is a good reason to have your gums checked.
Myth #2: I Will Lose My Teeth If I Get Gum Disease
Tooth loss is a possible result of gum disease, but it is not inevitable. When gum disease is caught in its earliest stage, called gingivitis, it can usually be reversed with a professional cleaning and better daily habits. If it progresses to periodontitis, the infection begins to damage the bone and connective tissue that support the teeth.
Damage from periodontitis cannot be fully undone, but treatment can often stop it from getting worse and help you keep your teeth. Brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth daily, not smoking, and keeping regular checkups and cleanings are the most effective ways to keep gum disease from starting or returning.
Myth #3: Bleeding Gums Are Normal
Some people think a little bleeding when they floss is just part of having gums. Healthy gums, however, do not usually bleed with normal brushing and flossing. Bleeding is one of the earliest signs of gum inflammation, and while it can happen when you first start flossing more often, bleeding that continues for more than a week or two deserves a closer look.
A common mistake is to stop flossing when the gums bleed. That usually makes inflammation worse. Gentle, consistent cleaning, along with an exam to rule out infection, is the better response.
Myth #4: Infected Gums Will Heal on Their Own
Gingivitis can improve with better home care, but once tartar has hardened below the gumline and pockets have formed around the teeth, brushing and flossing alone cannot reach the bacteria. Without professional treatment, the infection typically continues to progress and can lead to serious damage to the teeth, gums, and jawbone.
Periodontal therapy is designed to remove that buildup and help the gums reattach. Depending on your needs, that may include scaling and root planing, which is a thorough cleaning below the gumline, or laser-assisted treatment. Our office uses the Biolase Waterlase laser for certain gum treatments, which can help clean infected pockets while preserving healthy tissue.
Two More Misconceptions Worth Clearing Up
Beyond the four myths above, these two beliefs keep many people from getting their gums checked in time.
“If My Gums Don’t Hurt, They Are Healthy”
Gum disease is often painless, especially in its early and middle stages, which is exactly why it goes unnoticed. Many people have measurable pockets and bone loss before they feel anything at all. Your dentist or hygienist checks for this at routine visits by measuring the depth of the space between each tooth and the gum, which is one reason regular checkups matter even when nothing hurts.
“Gum Disease Only Affects My Mouth”
Gum health and overall health are connected. People with diabetes are at higher risk for gum disease, and gum infection can make blood sugar harder to manage. Researchers have also studied links between periodontitis and conditions such as heart disease. Those links do not prove that one causes the other, but they are a good reason to treat gum health as part of your overall health rather than a cosmetic concern. For a closer look at how the condition progresses, see our guide to gingivitis versus periodontitis.
About the Practice
Boston Smile Center’s three dentists work together to keep patients’ gums and teeth healthy. Our periodontist, Dr. Avi Shainhouse, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontics and an active member of the American Academy of Periodontology, and he provides gum disease treatment here in our Brookline office. If you have noticed any of the signs above, or simply want to know where your gums stand, an exam is the best place to start.
To set up an appointment or learn more about gum disease therapy, contact our office and our team will help you find a time that works.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Disease
Can gum disease be reversed?
Gingivitis, the earliest stage, can usually be reversed with a professional cleaning and consistent brushing and flossing. Periodontitis, the more advanced stage, involves damage to bone and connective tissue that cannot be fully undone, but treatment can often stop it from progressing and help you keep your teeth.
Is gum disease contagious?
The bacteria involved in gum disease can be passed through saliva, but simply being exposed does not mean you will develop the disease. Whether gum disease takes hold depends mostly on your own oral hygiene, genetics, and risk factors such as smoking and diabetes.
How often should I have my gums checked?
For most people, a checkup and cleaning every six months is enough to catch gum problems early. If you have a history of periodontitis, diabetes, or other risk factors, your dentist may recommend more frequent periodontal maintenance visits to keep the infection under control.
Does gum disease treatment hurt?
Deep cleanings and other periodontal treatments are typically done with local anesthetic, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain during the procedure. Some tenderness for a few days afterward is common and usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers taken as directed.
Can I still get cosmetic dental work if I have gum disease?
Active gum disease generally needs to be treated before cosmetic work such as veneers, crowns, or clear aligners begins. Healthy gums provide a stable foundation, which helps cosmetic results look natural and last longer. Once your gums are healthy, your dentist can plan the cosmetic treatment you want.