Gum disease is a common problem, and is often why people lose their teeth. Look at the model to see the effects of gum disease and how the tooth eventually has very little bone around it to hold it in place.

How does this happen?

The plaque that collects where the teeth meet the gums can make the gums red, and a bit swollen (this is called gingivitis). It can also make gums bleed a little when you brush.

When it first starts (usually during early adulthood), gingivitis can be treated easily by brushing teeth properly and regularly. This will also help to prevent gingivitis coming back.

What can happen next?

If teeth and gums aren't properly cleaned for a very long time, the bone underneath the gums (which holds the tooth's root in place) can start to shrink back. Plaque causes the bone around the teeth to start dissolving away, downwards towards the root tip. Gaps appear between the teeth and gums during this process (called pockets), and the dentist can measure these using a special measuring instrument (called a probe). As the bone disappears, the gums covering it shrink back too. It takes a very long time (many years), but eventually all the bone holding the tooth in the jaw disappears, and the tooth becomes loose and may fall out.