Gingivitis and gum disease are both conditions that occur when bacteria in plaque harm gum tissue. However, these conditions aren’t the same, as gingivitis precedes gum disease—the more serious of the two. If you’re concerned about your periodontal health and aren’t sure what kind of help your dentist can provide, here are a few key differences between gingivitis and gum disease.

5 Ways Gingivitis & Gum Disease Differ

1. Tissue Changes

Gingivitis typically refers to tissue inflammation. With this condition, your gums may appear red and swollen. They might also bleed whenever you brush.

Since gum disease refers to a more advanced infection, the changes to the tissue can be more severe. In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, this condition can cause the tissue to recede or produce discharge.

2. Discomfort

When you have gingivitis, your gums may feel tender but not painful. Gum disease, on the other hand, can cause chronic pain in and around the tissue. If the tissue has receded, exposed nerves may cause dental sensitivity and recurrent toothaches.

3. Bone & Tissue Deterioration

Despite inflammation and bleeding, your teeth and gum tissue will remain intact if you have gingivitis. However, if you have gum disease, both the tissue and underlying bone can deteriorate if the infection goes untreated.

4. Tooth Stability

When the infection advances, the gum tissue will pull away from the teeth, causing them to loosen or fall out. Gingivitis, however, will not affect the stability of your teeth.

5. Treatment

Most cases of gingivitis can be corrected by getting a deep cleaning from your dentist and following a strict at-home oral hygiene routine—such as flossing once a day and brushing twice daily with a toothpaste product designed for periodontal health.

Gum disease will require more advanced care from a dentist. Often, the pockets between the teeth and tissue will need to be deep cleaned through a process known as root scaling and planing. If the recession is severe, new tissue may be surgically grafted onto the deteriorated area. Bone grafting may also be necessary if bone loss has occurred due to the infection.

Given the toll that gum disease can take on your smile, it’s crucial to seek professional help at the first sign of inflammation or infection. That’s why Stanley R McCardle DMD | Family Dentistry is proud to offer comprehensive periodontal therapy in Headland, AR. Whether preventing gingivitis with routine teeth cleanings or root planing and scaling to treat infected tissue, Dr. McCardle will take a gentle approach so you can feel comfortable at every stage of care. To learn more about these services, visit this local dentist online. For appointments, call (334) 693-2112.