According to a study published by the American Academy of Periodontology, almost 50 percent of Americans over the age of 30 are struggling with periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss. Periodontitis, also known as periodontal disease, is generally precipitated by gingivitis, a less severe and curable form of gum disease. However, the longer gingivitis goes untreated, the more likely it is that an individual will develop severe oral complications, including periodontal disease, which can adversely affect the oral cavity.