Yes! It is possible to retain your teeth for the rest of your life. Beat the silent tooth killer periodontal disease and you have it made. Periodontal disease is, in fact, a group of diseases. These diseases begin quietly attacking the gum, bone, and ligaments that anchor the teeth to the bone. Another name often used to describe the condition is gum disease. Up to 50 percent of adults over age 30 suffer from gum disease – the leading cause of tooth loss.