Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection of the gums, ligaments and bone that support the teeth and hold them to the jaw. It can sneak up on you if you don’t take good care of your teeth. It usually worsens at a slow pace over time and with no pain. But this condition can become dangerous if it goes undetected, and not just for the teeth you could lose. There is credible and increasing medical evidence that gum disease may be associated with serious health conditions like heart disease and strokes.
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. These bacteria feed on the sugars and starches left behind after meals. If this plaque is not removed, it may eventually harden into calculus (tartar). When plaque bacteria build up on this hard surface, it irritates and erodes healthy gum tissue. This early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis and it is reversible. This means the effects can be stopped and the gums can return to normal.
If gingivitis is left untreated, pockets begin to form between the teeth and gum tissues. This leads to tooth loss. This irreversible stage of gum disease is called periodontitis.
Information as per the ODA https://www.oda.ca/oral-health-basics/oral-conditions-diseases/gum-disease/
Braganza Periodontics - Peterborough Periodontist