Gum disease — medically known as periodontitis — affects 47.2% of adults over age 30 in the U.S. About 8.5% of them may have severe periodontitis. Gum disease is a severe infection or inflammation of ...

Dentists and oral surgeons perform tooth extractions for many reasons. These may include gum disease, dental infections, injury, wisdom teeth complications, or preparation for braces or prostheses. An ...

If your gums rest too low or too high on your teeth and you are unhappy with your smile, you may be a candidate for gum contouring surgery. Also called gum reshaping or tissue sculpting, this cosmetic ...

Impacted wisdom teeth happen when a wisdom tooth gets lodged underneath the gum line. This can trigger irritation, pain, and ultimately lead to gum disease and tooth decay if not treated. Impacted ...

Mark Gurarie is a writer covering health topics, technology, music, books, and culture. He also teaches health science and research writing at George Washington University's School of Medical and ...