Healthy gums are firm, pink and don’t bleed. In the earliest stage of periodontal disease, called gingivitis, the gums begin to get red and puffy and may bleed during brushing or flossing. Plaque and tartar may build up at the gum line, but the bone that holds the teeth is still healthy and removing the irritants will restore tissue health.
The next stage of periodontal disease is call periodontitis. At this stage, the gums begin to separate from the teeth, the underlying bone is damaged, pockets form and sometimes the gums recede. Bacteria-laden plaque spreads into the pockets, making it more difficult to keep tooth surfaces clean and to control the disease process.
In the advanced stages of the disease, pockets continue to deepen and there is further destruction of the underlying bone. Additionally, the bacteria that live in these pockets are more virulent and contribute even further to disease progression. Left untreated, teeth will eventually loosen and fall out.