Gingivitis and Periodontitis: How Do They Differ from Each Other

Your mouth is home to different types of bacteria. Most of these bacteria are harmless, and others are helpful to your oral health. However, some bacteria can harm your teeth and gums and lead to gingivitis and periodontitis.

It can be challenging for patients to know the difference between these two periodontal diseases. This is why it is important to visit the dentist in Los Gatos so that they can check your oral health and treat the gum disease before it advances.

This article will help unfold the difference between these two periodontal diseases.

How Do They Differ from Each Other?

Gingivitis is a term used to refer to the inflammation in your gums brought about by plaque. Most of the time, plaque can go unnoticed as it does not have any painful symptoms for the patient. However, you may notice blood when you floss or brush your teeth and bright red or swollen gums.

When you notice these symptoms in their early stages, the dentist in Los Gatos can reverse the effects of this disease. However, it is essential to note that if you don’t seek treatment in time, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis.

Getting gingivitis is a clear sign that you need to do more regarding your oral health.

On the other hand, periodontitis is the swelling of the periodontium. Periodontium is the bone and gum tissue that keeps your teeth in place.

It is recommended to look for periodontics in Los Gatos so that the periodontist can treat this disease. This is because visiting the dentist is vital in saving the bone tissues as the progression of periodontitis can cause your teeth to loosen, leading to teeth loss.

Look out for pain when chewing food, as this can indicate periodontitis. What’s more, this condition can cause your gums to “pull away” from your teeth.

Another symptom of periodontitis is red, swollen, and sore gums. This condition can also cause bad breath.

Taking cold or hot beverages can be challenging due to periodontitis. This is because you will feel a little pain or discomfort, which indicates you have sensitive teeth, which can result from periodontitis.

How Can You Prevent Them Both?

One tip to keep these gum diseases at bay is following a good oral program. This means you should brush your teeth for two minutes twice every day. Flossing your teeth at least once every day is also important to ensure no food debris is left between your teeth.

Another way to ensure that your teeth are free from periodontitis and gingivitis is through regular dental visits. This implies visiting the dental office every 6 to 12 months so the dentist can perform a dental cleaning to remove food particles that your toothbrush cannot reach.

There are risk factors that predispose you to these gum diseases. First, smoking cigarettes is not recommended for your oral health. This is because the drug can cause bacterial plaque, resulting in gum disease. In addition to that, smoking leads to reduced oxygen in the blood; therefore, the infected gums don’t heal.

Having inadequate vitamin C can also cause gum disease. Therefore, eating citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, and potatoes will ensure you have enough vitamin C in your body.

It is important to exercise as research has shown obesity can lead to periodontitis as there is increased reactive oxygen species, which can cause tissue destruction and inflammation.

What Is the Treatment for Each?

Gingivitis treatment aims to reduce gum inflammation. Going for a dental cleaning in Mountain Bay Dental Implants and Orthodontics will ensure the dentist removes the tartar and plaque, which a toothbrush cannot remove.

Besides that, an antiseptic mouthwash is recommended as it contains chlorhexidine which can reduce bacteria in your mouth.

Oral hygiene is vital in keeping gingivitis at bay and using the right technique when brushing and flossing will ensure no buildup of plaque and tartar.

It is vital to note that periodontitis is not reversible like gingivitis disease. Nevertheless, taking care of your oral hygiene is important in slowing disease and preventing tooth loss.

Open surgery can be used to clean the teeth’s roots to ensure there is no further infection caused by periodontal disease.