Periodontitis

Periodontitis (pronounced “peh-ree-uh-don-TIE-tus”) is a form of gum disease. It’s a bacterial infection that causes your gums to bleed and swell. Eventually, it can damage the bone that supports your teeth, leading to wiggly teeth and tooth loss.

Periodontitis is more likely to happen as you age. It’s most common in people over 30. Still, it can affect anyone with poor oral hygiene. Some people are also more genetically prone to periodontitis than others. If your biological parents or grandparents have a history of gum disease, you’re more likely to develop it as well.

Healthcare providers classify periodontitis as mild, moderate or severe. They base this on how much bone you’ve lost around each tooth and on how much inflammation you have in your gums. There are surgical and nonsurgical treatments that can help treat this oral infection and keep your gums healthy.