Gingivitis and periodontal disease – gum diseases
What Is the Difference Between Gingivitis and Periodontitis?
Generally, gingivitis (gum inflammation) precedes periodontitis (gum disease). Nevertheless, it is important to know that not all gingivitis progresses to periodontitis.
In the early stage of gingivitis, bacteria in plaque build-up, causing the gums to become inflamed and to easily bleed during tooth brushing. Although the gums may be irritated, the teeth are still firmly planted in the bone. No irreversible bone or other tissue damage has occurred at this stage. When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis.
Periodontitis, generally called gum disease or periodontal disease, begins with bacterial growth in your mouth and may end with tooth loss if not properly treated
In a person with periodontitis, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth and form pockets, in the shape of “pockets” between teeth and gums. These small spaces between teeth and gums collect debris, where the bacteria grow, and later can get infected. The body’s immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line, in pockets, while toxins or poisons (produced by the bacteria in plaque as well as the body’s “good” enzymes involved in fighting infections) start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in the jaw.
As the disease progresses, the periodontal pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. When this happens, teeth are no longer anchored in their place, they become loose, and tooth loss occurs. Gum disease represents the main cause of tooth loss in adults.
What Are the Symptoms of Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease may progress painlessly, producing few obvious signs, even in the late stages of the disease. Although the symptoms of the periodontal disease often are subtle, the condition is not entirely without warning signs. Certain symptoms may point to some form of the disease. The symptoms of gum disease include:
- Gums that bleed during and after tooth brushing
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
- Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Changes in the way teeth fit together upon biting down
Even if you don’t notice any symptoms, you may still have some degree of gum disease. In some people, gum disease may affect only certain teeth, such as the molars. Only a dentist or a periodontist can recognize and determine the progression of gum disease.
How Can Gum Disease Be Diagnosed?
During a dental exam, your dentist typically checks for these things:
- Gum bleeding, swelling, firmness, and periodontal pocket depth (the larger and deeper the space between the gum and tooth, the more severe the disease);
- Teeth movement and sensitivity and proper teeth alignment
- The jawbone, to help detect the breakdown of bone surrounding your teeth
How Is Gum Disease Treated?
The goal of gum disease treatment is to promote reattachment of healthy gums to teeth, to reduce swelling, the depth of periodontal pockets, and the risk of their infection. No less importantly, the goal of the treatment is to stop disease progression.
Treatment options depend on the stage of disease, how you may have responded to earlier treatments, and your overall health. Options range from nonsurgical therapies that control bacterial growth to surgery, necessary to restore supportive tissues. A full description of the various treatment options is provided during the medical exam performed by the OZONO specialists.
How Can Gum Disease Be Prevented?
Gingivitis can be reversed and the progression of gum disease can be stopped in nearly all cases when proper plaque control is practiced. Proper plaque control consists of professional cleanings at least twice a year and daily brushing and flossing.
Brushing eliminates plaque from the surfaces of the teeth that can be reached, while flossing removes food particles and plaque from in between the teeth and under the gum line. Moreover, antibacterial mouth rinses can reduce, by chemical means, bacteria that cause plaque and gum disease.