Over 3 million Americans are diagnosed with gum disease each year. It’s most common in people from the age of 19 all the way through senior citizenship – though younger people can get it. It’s largely preventable if one knows what to look for. It’s best that people learn early, because as it progresses, it can hurt far more than one’s teeth and gums.

This is considered the mildest type of gum disease. The most prevalent sign here is when people see blood on their toothbrush or dental floss. That’s because their gums are swollen and sensitive. It’s usually because people neglect their oral hygiene regimen.

Once the gingivitis has progressed to the next stage, it cannot be reversed. This is dangerous because gum disease can rapidly turn from mild to very severe in an astonishing amount of time. Fast treatment is of the essence.

People with gingivitis can have it reverse course with diligent attention to their oral habits. It’s after it’s progressed where it reaches the point of no return. Once that has happened, the options range from non-surgical procedures to grafts to reattach tooth and gums. At the very worst case, it can require extraction and subsequent replacement with dentures or dental implants.

The biggest factor is not brushing or flossing enough. There are other things that can play a part, though People who smoke, are diabetic, are immune-suppressed because of something like HIV or have had chemotherapy. These things can dry out one’s mouth, which greatly reduces the amount of saliva, which is very important in getting rid of bacteria. Genetics can play a part.