Gingivitis advances to periodontitis, the next stage, in the absence of medical intervention and improved at-home care. At this point, there is an increase in pocketing between the teeth and bone, gum recession, and bone loss as the connective tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place start to deteriorate. Without proper treatment by your dentist, periodontitis will progress from a mild to moderate loss of supporting tissue to the destruction of the bone around the teeth.