What Is the Difference Between Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease?

Gingivitis and periodontal disease are both gum conditions, but they’re not the same condition.

WebMD explains that gingivitis occurs prior to periodontal disease and is gum inflammation, caused by the bacteria in plaque build up. While your gums may be sensitive and bleed during brushing, the bone hasn’t pulled away from the gum and there isn’t any bone loss with gingivitis.

Not all gingivitis leads to periodontal disease, but it can lead to periodontal disease. You can expect untreated gingivitis to develop into periodontal disease. With periodontal disease, the gum’s inner layer and bone recede from the teeth and pockets form. Debris can collect in the pockets and cause the tissue to become infected. Bacteria and plaque build up and spread below the gum line.

A combination of toxins produced by bacteria in the plaque and the body’s enzymes that the immune system releases to fight infections starts breaking down the bone and tissue that hold teeth in place. As pockets deepen further, gum and bone tissue are destroyed. Eventually tooth loss occurs.

Understanding how gingivitis and periodontal disease occur is incentive to take preventative actions and protect your gums and teeth.

At Hutto Hippo Family Dental, we believe that educating our patients and providing them with the best available dental treatments makes a huge difference in dental care.

Hutto Hippo Family Dental provides patients with all types of dental services. Call us @ (512)806-7740 and watch our video on periodontal disease and gingivitis.