Gum Disease News and Research

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Gum disease or periodontal disease is an infection caused by bacteria under the gum tissue that begin to destroy the gums and bone. Teeth become loose, chewing becomes difficult, and teeth may have to be extracted. Gum disease may also be related to damage elsewhere in the body; recent studies point to associations between such oral infections and diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and preterm, low-weight births. Research is underway to further examine these connections.

Sugar tax could prevent millions of cases of tooth decay in Australia

Millions of cases of tooth decay could be prevented if Australia introduced a 20 per cent tax on sugar, new Griffith University research has found.

25 Aug 2026

Nicotine gum may make smokeless tobacco withdrawal easier to manage

A randomized trial found that 2 mg nicotine gum controlled craving, anxiety, and sleep problems more effectively than behavioral counselling during smokeless tobacco cessation. Although abstinence rates were numerically higher with nicotine gum, the differences were not statistically significant, highlighting the need for larger studies.

6 Aug 2026

New gum disease treatment kills harmful bacteria while saving beneficial microbes

Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan have created an innovative treatment for periodontitis that targets and eliminates harmful bacteria while preserving beneficial oral microbes essential for health.

4 Aug 2026

Novel DNA nanoplatform offers hope for chronic gum disease

Millions of people worldwide live with periodontitis, a chronic gum disease that can progressively destroy the tissues and bone supporting the teeth despite conventional treatment.

16 Jul 2026

Gum disease bacteria linked to calcific aortic valve stenosis

Gum disease bacteria may spur calcium buildup in the heart's aortic valve, leading to a common and serious heart valve disease, according to preliminary, independent research presented at the American Heart Association's Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2026.

12 Jul 2026

Severe gum disease linked to early kidney function decline

A growing body of research suggests that the effects of periodontitis extend far beyond the mouth.

2 Jul 2026

Cryo-EM microscopy uncovers structure of bacteria behind gum disease

Periodontal (gum) disease is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide, caused by the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). In Japan alone, approximately 80% of adults over 30 years old are affected or considered at risk.

30 Jun 2026

Good oral health could improve athletic performance

Millions of fans around the world will be glued to screens in the coming weeks to watch remarkable displays of speed, precision and endurance in the world's most important football competition.

25 Jun 2026

Short-term fasting may reduce inflammation linked to gum disease

People who follow a short-term low-calorie diet may have reduced markers of inflammation associated with gum disease.

10 Jun 2026

Type 2 diabetes elevates periodontitis risks regardless of glycemic control

Persons with diabetes have an increased risk of periodontitis (gum disease) and tooth loss. The risk of inflammation and bone loss at dental implants was also higher. These are the findings of a thesis at the University of Gothenburg.

9 Jun 2026

Researchers identify unique genetic signature in rare oral cancer

Cancer diagnosis can be challenging, and delayed diagnosis can allow cancer to progress, complicating treatment.

26 May 2026

How a common gut bacterium may protect health

Akkermansia muciniphila's impact on immunity and pregnancy outcomes underscores its promise as a probiotic, with implications for infectious disease treatment.

4 May 2026

Maternal antibodies provide lifelong protection against adult gum disease

Mothers provide a hidden immune legacy that protects their children's teeth long after weaning is over. A new study reveals how maternal antibodies act as early life architects, programming the mouth to resist aggressive bacteria and prevent the bone loss associated with adult gum disease.

29 Apr 2026

Restoring tissue stiffness may reduce inflammation in gum disease

Periodontitis is a serious chronic inflammatory form of gum disease that affects millions worldwide. It can lead to tooth loss and the destruction of supporting bone.

31 Mar 2026

Childhood cavities and gum disease raise adult heart disease risk

The link between childhood oral health and adult heart disease underscores the need for preventive dental care to enhance lifelong cardiovascular health.

4 Mar 2026

New strategy targets Porphyromonas gingivalis without harming healthy microbes

For years, treating gum disease has meant scraping away plaque, cutting out damaged tissue or turning to antibiotics that kill bacteria indiscriminately.

3 Mar 2026

Poor oral health in childhood linked to higher incidence of cardiovascular disease in adulthood

A tooth cavity and bleeding gums is a common scenario among Danish children – and one that researchers now connect to health problems long after the last baby tooth has left the mouth.

2 Mar 2026

Anterior crossbite linked to increased tooth loss risk

Crooked teeth or a misaligned bite can cause a whole host of problems, including speech issues and/or difficulty eating or properly cleaning teeth.

10 Feb 2026

Periodontal bacterial load associated with disease severity in multiple sclerosis

Increasing evidence suggests that the severe gum disease, periodontitis, may contribute to central nervous system disorders through chronic inflammation.

30 Dec 2025

New data supports link between gum disease and heart disease

There is increasing evidence that gum disease is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and cardiometabolic health conditions. Effective prevention and treatment of gum disease, also called periodontal disease, could potentially decrease the burden of cardiovascular disease, according to a new scientific statement published today in the American Heart Association's flagship journal Circulation.

16 Dec 2025