In conversations about oral health, the words “gingivitis” and “periodontitis” get brought up a lot. You may know that they are both related to the gums, but what exactly do they mean? What is the difference between them? They are both forms of gum disease, which is also known as periodontal disease. This blog post goes into detail about each of these conditions.
Gingivitis: The Early Stage of Gum Disease
All forms of gum disease are a bacterial infection of the soft tissue that surrounds the base of the teeth. It can also affect the underlying bone. Gingivitis is the earliest, mildest form of gum disease.
The main cause of gingivitis is the accumulation of plaque — a sticky film of bacteria — along the gumline. If the plaque is not regularly removed, it irritates the gum tissue and leads to inflammation. Symptoms of gingivitis may include:
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Bleeding during brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath
- Gums that appear darker than usual
If you address gingivitis promptly, you can likely restore your gum health without any permanent tissue damage.
Periodontitis: Advanced Gum Disease
If gingivitis remains untreated, it may progress to periodontitis, which is a more serious and advanced stage of gum disease.
As periodontitis develops, pockets form between the teeth and gums, collecting bacteria and debris. These pockets can be difficult to clean, which means that periodontitis can lead to irreversible tissue damage.
Signs of periodontitis include:
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth
- Tooth loss
- Persistent bad breath
- Painful chewing
- Visible pus between teeth and gums
Professional treatment can stop periodontitis from worsening and get rid of any active areas of infection. Your care team can even replace lost teeth and may use tissue grafts to support your gums and bone. However, periodontitis is considered a chronic condition that needs to be carefully monitored so it does not come out of remission and start causing additional harm.
Gum disease —periodontitis in particular — is also associated with systemic health risks, such as an increased chance of heart attack, stroke, dementia, and preterm birth.
How to Stop Your Gum Disease from Progressing
Gum disease is very common, and it can affect anyone! Here are some practical tips to help you maintain your gum health:
- Maintain a thorough oral hygiene routine, and pay careful attention to cleaning the area along your gumline.
- Do not smoke, chew tobacco, or overindulge in alcohol.
- See your dentist twice a year for a preventive checkup and cleaning.
- Consume a healthy diet with minimal amounts of added sugar.
- If you notice signs of gingivitis, see your dentist as soon as possible so they can help you reverse the condition before it worsens.
Gingivitis and periodontitis are two forms of the same disease! Watch out for their symptoms so you can take prompt action to protect your oral and overall health.
Meet the Practice At Gillis Dental Professionals in Needham, our highly skilled team is well-educated on how to recognize, prevent, and treat the different stages of gum disease. We often perform scaling and root planing (deep cleaning of the mouth) to help patients heal from gingivitis and periodontitis. To learn more about us or to request an appointment, contact our office at 781-202-6357.