Before and After Gum Disease: Symptoms, Pictures, and Treatment

The healthy gum is look pale pink and firm to the touch. The gum should also fit perfectly around teeth.

Periodontal disease isn't contagious. However, the bacteria that causes the inflammation is contagious and can spread via saliva from one person to another.

Periodontal disease can destroy the bone that supports your teeth and increase the possibility of losing the teeth, especially if treatment is delayed.

The result of periodontal disease in the long term is teeth loss. You can live with periodontal disease, but you’ll be forced to endure frequent, unpleasant symptoms and potential loss of your teeth.

Removing the teeth will not treat or cure your gum disease because the disease is a result of an infection of the gum tissue, not an infection of the teeth.

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of periodontal disease and is a reversible condition that doctors can treat using different methods.

The 3 stages of periodontal disease are initial, moderate, and severe periodontal. Some sources, however, divide the stages of periodontal disease into 4 levels: gingivitis, slight periodontal disease, moderate periodontal disease, and advanced periodontal disease.