Dental answers, made clearer
Understand the differences between gingivitis and periodontitis, common warning signs, risk factors and how gum disease is assessed and treated.
Gingivitis is the earliest, mildest stage of gum disease, involving red, swollen, or bleeding gums without any bone loss. Periodontitis is the more advanced stage, where the infection has spread below the gumline and started damaging the bone and tissue that hold teeth in place.
Read the answerGingivitis, the early stage, is fully reversible with professional cleaning and consistent oral hygiene. Periodontitis, however, involves permanent bone and tissue loss, so treatment at that stage focuses on stopping further damage rather than restoring what's already been lost.
Read the answerTreatment typically starts with scaling and root planing, a deep clean that removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline. More advanced cases may need antibiotics or gum surgery to reduce pocket depth and allow the gums to reattach to the tooth.
Read the answerGum disease is caused by plaque that hardens into tartar along and under the gumline, triggering an ongoing inflammatory response. Smoking, diabetes, hormonal changes, and poor oral hygiene all increase the risk of it developing or progressing faster.
Read the answerYes, research has linked periodontitis to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and complications in pregnancy, likely due to the chronic inflammation it causes. This is one reason dentists treat gum disease as a health issue, not just a cosmetic one.
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