A gum boil is a type of periodontal disease that involves the formation of an abscess on the gums. It causes pain and swelling. If left untreated, it can spread to the teeth and surrounding tissues.

The line invariably gets a laugh. But for people who feel that they really have become hooked on nicotine gum, Abby's quirky observation may hit too close to home. In fact, 1.5-2 million Americans ...