It starts with a little blood on your toothbrush. You rinse, forget about it, and go on with your day. But that faint pink in the sink could be the first warning sign of periodontal disease — one of the most common chronic illnesses in Kenya and one of the least talked about. Gum disease silently destroys the tissue and bone that hold your teeth in place, and by the time most people notice serious symptoms, significant damage has already been done.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection of the structures surrounding the teeth — the gums, ligaments, and bone. It begins as gingivitis, a mild inflammation caused by plaque buildup along the gumline. If not treated, gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, a more serious condition where the gums pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that collect bacteria. Over time, this destroys the bone supporting the teeth, eventually leading to tooth loss.