Gingivitis vs Periodontitis – What’s the Difference?

You have probably heard the terms “gingivitis” and “periodontitis” come up when discussing gum health. But what’s the difference? Are they related? Which one is worse? Are they reversible? Continue reading to learn everything you need to know from your dentist about gum disease, what causes it, and what you can do to prevent it from occurring and progressing.

What Is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a term used to describe a common but mild form of gum disease. Symptoms include inflammation, redness, irritation, and bleeding when brushing and flossing your teeth. This condition isn’t necessarily painful and often goes unnoticed by the patient.

What Is Periodontitis?

When gingivitis is left untreated and progresses, it will eventually become periodontitis which is a much more serious form of periodontal disease. This is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue. Without treatment, it can destroy the bone that supports your teeth and lead to loose teeth or tooth loss entirely. Bone loss cannot be recovered. Other symptoms include bad breath, pus between your teeth and gums, gum recession, and painful chewing.

What Causes Gum Disease?

In most cases, gum disease is caused by excessive plaque being left on the teeth. Eventually, if it isn’t removed, it will turn to tartar which is difficult to remove and is full of bacteria. The longer it sits on your teeth, the more damage it causes. If you don’t have the tartar removed by your dentist, you are likely to develop gingivitis. When it isn’t treated, it will eventually become periodontitis. Here are some factors that can increase your likelihood of developing gum disease:

• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menopause
• Obesity
• Poor nutrition
• Conditions that decrease immunity like HIV and leukemia
• Diabetes
• Genetics
• Medications that cause dry mouth

How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?

In order to prevent gum disease from developing or progressing, it’s crucial that you maintain a good oral hygiene routine. This means that you should be brushing your teeth twice and flossing once daily. You should also consider using a mouthwash. It is not a substitute for regular brushing and flossing but can help reduce plaque and bacteria from hard to reach places. See your dentist every six months for a regular cleaning and checkup. They are trained to spot early signs of gum disease.

Remember that making healthy lifestyle choices in general is helpful when preventing gum disease. This includes refraining from using tobacco products and eating a healthy diet. Starchy and sugary foods feed the bacteria in your mouth and increase plaque.

Periodontal disease is all too common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 47.2% of adults over the age of 30 have some form of the condition. However, with proper care and prevention, gingivitis and periodontitis are highly preventable.

About the Author

Dr. J. Peter St. Clair has been providing dental care for patients in Rowley for over two decades. He is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Massachusetts Dental Society. Dr. St. Clair offers periodontal treatment as one of his many services. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (978) 948-2030.