History
Signs of gum disease show up in ancient Egyptian mummies. In the 19th century Hartford dentist John Riggs treated it by scraping away tartar, and "Riggs' disease" became its popular name. In 1965 Danish researcher Harald Löe had dental students stop brushing for three weeks, proving that plaque causes gum inflammation—and that it reverses once brushing resumes. By the 1990s scientists understood that specific bacterial communities and the body's own immune response together break down tissue, and a 2017 world workshop introduced today's staging and grading system.
Symptoms and whole-body health
When only the gums are red, swollen, and bleeding, it's gingivitis, which good brushing can reverse. Left alone, pockets between teeth and gums deepen, bone dissolves, gums recede, teeth loosen, and pus and bad breath appear. It's often painless, so many people don't notice. The CDC estimates that about 42% of U.S. adults over 30 have periodontitis. Gum disease and diabetes worsen each other, and studies link it with atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Treatment and prevention
Dentists remove tartar with a cleaning and, for deeper pockets, "scaling and root planing" (a deep cleaning). Advanced bone loss may need gum surgery or grafts; lost teeth can be replaced with implants. At home, brush twice a day with the bristles angled 45 degrees at the gumline and clean between teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes. Smoking is the biggest controllable risk factor, so quitting markedly improves results. See your dentist every six to twelve months.
This article is general health information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
FAQ
- Should I stop brushing if my gums bleed?
- No—keep brushing gently; inflammation usually settles. If it lasts one to two weeks, see a dentist.
- Can mouthwash cure gum disease?
- It can help, but removing tartar is the core treatment.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-26
References
- Papapanou, P. N., et al. (2018). Periodontitis: Consensus report of workgroup 2 of the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases. Journal of Periodontology, 89(S1), S173–S182.
- Löe, H., Theilade, E., & Jensen, S. B. (1965). Experimental gingivitis in man. Journal of Periodontology, 36(3), 177–187.
- Sanz, M., et al. (2020). Periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases: Consensus report. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 47(3), 268–288.