Gingivitis vs Periodontitis: What’s the difference? 

Gingivitis v Periodontitis: What’s the difference? 

Gum disease affects more people than you might think, and it often starts quietly. Gingivitis is the early, reversible stage, while periodontitis is a more advanced form that can cause lasting damage to your gums and teeth. Here are the differences between the early and late stages of gum disease and how to spot the symptoms before things go too far.  

What is gingivitis? 

Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. At this stage, it’s highly treatable, but if your oral health doesn’t improve, it can develop into a more serious, and irreversible form over time. If you’ve got gingivitis (which around 70% of Kiwi adults do) you might have some of these symptoms: 

• Bleeding when you floss
• Red gums
• Swollen or puffy gums
• Tender gums or gums that hurt when you brush 

What causes gingivitis? 

Even if you brush your teeth regularly, it’s still possible to have gingivitis. The issue isn’t just plaque on the surface of your teeth – that usually gets brushed away after breakfast or before bed. It’s the plaque that sticks along the gum line and between your teeth that can lead to problems. 

Gingivitis is caused by the bacteria found in plaque. When plaque isn’t washed away, bacteria multiply and cause the gums to become irritated and inflamed. Inflamed gums might look red, puffy, and swollen, but it’s also possible to have gum disease and not have any symptoms at all. 

Risk factors for gingivitis 

The biggest risk factor for gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. If you’ve got brushing for two minutes a day down, flossing regularly can greatly reduce your risk of gum disease. If you have misaligned teeth, you might find it difficult to floss between them. Braces can help give you a straighter smile and make cleaning your teeth properly easier.  

Other risk factors for gum disease include: 

• Smoking
• Misaligned teeth (making it hard to clean between them)
• Lack of nutrients
• Pregnancy
• Some medical conditions
• Some medications
• Stress
• Genetics 

What’s the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis? 

They’re both forms of gum disease, but gingivitis is reversible, whereas periodontitis isn’t. Gingivitis can progress into periodontitis when plaque forms on and under the gum line. This can trigger a chronic inflammatory response in the body, which damages gum tissue and the bones that keep our teeth in place. So, what happens next? 

At this stage, the gums may start to recede and pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that trap food and allow bacteria to thrive. These deeper pockets are harder to clean, and as the disease progresses, you can begin to lose bone density in your jaw, which can cause teeth to loosen. 

How to prevent gingivitis and periodontitis 

You can easily prevent gingivitis by flossing on a daily basis (and brushing twice a day, but we hope you’re doing this already). Can’t floss because it hurts or your gums bleed? This is just a sign that you need to do it more often. The more you floss, the less painful it will be. You can also try using a water floss device, but good old-fashioned dental floss does a great job. 

See a hygienist regularly 

To prevent gum disease and to maintain good oral health, it’s important that you see a hygienist regularly. Often, a simple clean and polish is enough to get your oral health back on track. Visiting an oral health therapist at least once a year is a great way to make sure you don’t need to see the dentist as often later! 

For more advanced gum disease, your hygienist may recommend scaling and root planing — a deep-cleaning treatment that removes plaque and bacteria below the gum line. 

Book now at Gentle Dental 

If you’re worried about gum disease, our friendly dental hygienists can put you at ease. An annual clean and polish can remove plaque and tartar from between teeth and get your oral health on the right track. Book an appointment now at any of our four Wellington clinics.