October 17, 2023
Gingivitis vs Periodontal Disease
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease that develops after extreme accumulation and hardening of plaque on your teeth and gums. You may experience mild inflammation of your gums. However, you may not always experience symptoms caused by gingivitis. This is why you should pay attention to dental cleaning.
When Gingivitis is not treated in time, it may progress to periodontitis. This is a serious stage where actual damage is caused. Periodontitis may cause extreme inflammation and bleeding. You may even lose your teeth due to periodontitis.
Does Gingivitis Cause Bad Breath?
Gingivitis or gum disease is known to cause bad breath. When there is an extreme build-up of plaque on your gums and teeth, the bacteria release chemicals that release bad smells. Gingivitis makes your breath smell like rotten eggs or sulfur. Even though it is natural for plaque to build on the teeth, regular cleaning of teeth is essential. Your teeth need to be brushed and flossed regularly if you want to avoid gingivitis.
If gingivitis is not dealt with on time, it may worsen and turn into periodontitis.
Periodontitis Definition – What is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease that affects the soft tissues around your teeth. The soft tissues start to get inflamed due to a bacterial infection. If left untreated, it can lead to severe dental issues and start affecting your whole body. You may lose your teeth if you do not get treatment for periodontitis.
This form of gum disease causes your gums to swell up. You may experience bleeding and pain. To prevent periodontitis, you should pay attention to oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly for cleaning.
Does Gum Disease Go Away?
Yes, gum disease may go away if it is caught and treated at an early stage. However, the changes may be irreversible if gum disease progresses to an advanced stage. If you have lost teeth and the bone around your teeth, it cannot be reversed. Gum disease needs early intervention and is completely reversible at early stages.
Early-stage gingivitis can be reversed with proper oral hygiene and regular dental cleaning through a dentist.
Early to moderate periodontal disease may take between two to three weeks to heal. You should know that periodontitis can not heal without the intervention of a qualified dentist. You may need scaling and root planning to treat it.
Late-stage or severe periodontitis may take longer to treat and recover from. The treatment and recovery time totally depends upon the extent of your symptoms and damage. If you take proper treatment, your recovery may occur in six to eight weeks.
Difference Between Gingivitis and Periodontitis
Let us find out the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gingivitis is early-stage gum disease. In this stage of gum disease, there is mild inflammation that may even go unnoticed. This is caused by an accumulation of plaque on your teeth and gums. You may prevent this by taking care of your teeth and gums. You should regularly brush and floss to avoid the accumulation of plaque. Gingivitis is reversible.
Do You Have Gingivitis? Here Are The Symptoms
- Red and swollen gums
- Gums that bleed
- Bad breath
- Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
Note: In many cases, gingivitis does not cause any symptoms. You may need regular dental checkups to avoid this.
How is Gingivitis Treated?
Gingivitis treatment aims to reduce inflammation and to eliminate harmful bacteria. Your dentist will advise you to take care of your teeth. This will include a daily oral care routine. Your dentist will tell you how to brush and floss your teeth for the best results.
Your dentist may call you for a cleaning. Your dentist will remove the hardened plaque from your teeth and gums.
You may be advised to use antiseptic mouthwash to reduce the accumulation of bacteria in your mouth.
Periodontitis is an advanced-stage gum disease that occurs when gingivitis is left untreated. Periodontitis causes extreme inflammation of the gum tissue and bone that secure your teeth in their place. This part is also called the periodontium. If periodontitis is left untreated and ignored, your teeth may loosen and fall out.
Do You Have Periodontitis? Here Are The Symptoms Of Periodontitis
You may have periodontitis or advanced-stage gum disease if you have the following:
- Swollen or red gums
- Painful gums
- Gums that bleed randomly
- Bad breath
- Sore and sensitive gums
- Receding gum line
- Discomfort while eating
- Tooth Sensitivity
Periodontitis Treatment
Since periodontitis is the advanced stage of gingivitis, the main goal is to reduce inflammation. Periodontitis needs treatment and may even require surgery.
Your dentist will advise you to maintain oral hygiene to prevent further growth of bacteria.
You may require deep cleaning of your teeth. A qualified dentist will do this for you. Your dentist will remove the hardened tartar during this procedure.
In cases of severe infection of the gums, your dentist may advise you to take antibiotics or to apply topical ointments containing antibiotics.
Extreme cases of infection may require surgical intervention where the gums are cut open to clean the roots of the infected teeth.
You should seek dental advice at the first sign of gum disease. Gum disease is treatable but if it reaches an advanced stage, you may suffer from permanent tooth loss.
Oil Pulling For Gum Disease – Does It Work?
Oil pulling is a popular technique of oral hygiene that has been used for thousands of years in India. It may be truly beneficial for improving your gum health. Regular oil pulling is known to reduce bacterial growth in the mouth.
Oil pulling is pretty simple. You just need to put a tablespoon of oil in your mouth and swirl it around in your mouth for 10 minutes. You may prevent bad breath and cavities with regular oil pulling. Edible coconut oil is considered best for oil pulling.
You can add oil pulling to your daily routine.
If you have any questions related to oral hygiene or periodontal disease, you may contact us at Kirkland Premier Dentistry.
Our team of expert orthodontists will gladly answer your queries and create a dental care or treatment plan according to your dental condition.
