Are Gingivitis and Periodontitis the same? What’s the difference?

1. Are Gingivitis and periodontitis the same? What’s the difference? By Jersey Shore Dental

2. There is a basic difference between Gingivitis and Periodontitis. Gingivitis is gum inflammation caused primarily due to the growth of bacteria leading to the buildup of plaque that further leads to gum inflammation and bleeding while brushing. Gingivitis usually comes before but does not necessarily always lead to periodontitis. It happens quite often that we get confused and use the terms Gingivitis and Periodontitis interchangeably. But the fact is that these are completely different terms under the spectrum of tooth gum conditions.

3. Gum disease is the significant cause of tooth loss in adults. If gingivitis is not treated timely, it may lead to gum disease(Periodontitis). This is because the inner layer of gum and bone gets pulled away from the teeth, forming pockets that gets infected. As plaque builds below the gum line, gum tissue and bone are damaged, causing teeth to become loose. Periodontitis is a much more severe form of gingivitis and usually requires more dental services/procedures to stop and repair the damage. Gingivitis can be halted with basic oral care practices.

4. Healthy gums seem coral pink, firm and form a sharp point where they meet the tooth. When extreme amounts of bacteria and food debris build up in the spaces between the teeth and gums, a sticky stuff called plaque is formed. • Symptoms of gingivitis include red, inflamed swollen gums or gums that bleed easily when you brush the teeth. In contrast, periodontitis has progressed to more severe gum disease. • One key symptom of periodontitis is that the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, forming pockets where further bacteria can build up and cause an infection. • Many people do not notice signs of gingivitis, but symptoms of possible periodontitis include red, swollen and bleeding gums, pain while chewing, receding gums poor tooth alignment, or pockets between the teeth and gums, that loose the teeth. Symptoms of Gingivitis and Periodontitis

5. Do you doubt having gingivitis or periodontitis? Here are few tips for how to tell the difference. • Age: In teenagers, periodontitis is rare, but they can develop gingivitis. Gingivitis is the starting stage of periodontal disease. • Tooth Health: If you doubt having gingivitis, your teeth would be firmly in place, although your gums may be irritated, inflamed, red, and swollen. If a tooth get loose, you are more likely to have periodontitis. • Pain:Pain during chewing can be a sign that your periodontal disease has progressed from gingivitis to periodontitis. • Breath: If gingivitis has progressed to periodontitis, you may see that you have persistent unpleasant breath due to the presence of excess microbes in your mouth. Treatment If you don’t receive professional procedures to halt the spread of gingivitis, there are chances of infection spreading from the gums to the ligaments and bone that supports the teeth, leading to the damage of tissues and ligaments. This further leads to the development of infections, causing a gum abscess, an accumulation of pus and swelling of gum tissues. Teeth becomes loose, and the gums may recede, creating increased spaces between teeth.

6. Tooth Scaling and Root Planing. During this two-step treatment to heal periodontitis, your dental professional will scrape off the tartar that has built up on tooth both above and below the gum line, called as tooth scaling. Next, your dentist will smooth rough spots on the tooth roots, making it more tough for bacteria to accumulate and cause more plaque and tartar buildup. If your general dentistdiscovers that you have periodontitis, the procedure will depend on the severity of the infection. Some options include:

7. Flap Surgery: If the gum inflammation and pockets next to the teeth persist after a deep tooth cleaning method, your closest emergency dentist may advise for flap surgery. Flap surgery is a common dental treatment to address periodontitis that is performed by a specialist called a periodontist. During flap surgery, the tartar is extracted from the pockets that have formed alongside the teeth. The pockets are closed with the help of stitches, so the gum tissue once again hugs the teeth. Decreasing the pockets makes it simpler and more comfortable to brush and floss your teeth. Grafts: In critical cases of periodontitis in which bone and tissue are destroyed completely, you need to graft bone or tissue to repair the infected tissue. The grafting may involve a technique called guided tissue regeneration, in which a small piece of mesh is set between the jaw bone and gums which enables both bone and tissue to regrow. Guided tissue regeneration keeps the gum tissue from growing in the area where the bone should be, so both bone and tissue grafts have a separate room to grow.

8. Contact Details Company Name : Jersey Shore Dental Contact Name : Randee Gevertz Address : 879 Broadway City : West Long Branch State : NJ Zip Code : 07764 Tel No : 732-222-0977 Website: http://www.jerseyshoredental.net/