Are gingivitis and periodontal disease the same thing? the terms often seem to be used interchangeably, but i thought periodontal disease developed from gingivitis.

They : They are not the same thing. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gingiva(gums). This can be seen as inflamed or bleeding gums. Periodontitis is a disease of the periodontium which includes the bone and attachment around the tooth not just the gums. Periodontitis can include gingivitis.

Gingivitis : Gingivitis is inflammation of the soft gum tissues. A diagnosis of periodontitis inplies involvment of the bone, usually bone loss. Both are caused by germs. Certain germs effect the gum more than the bone, so not all gingivitis leads to periodontitis. Sometimes it does, so it should not be ignored.

Periodontal : Periodontal disease is a disruption of normal health of the tissues around the tooth (peri from the greek mean around). It can be affecting the gingivae (the tight gum around the neck of the tooth), which in health is normally pale pink and stippled, or the periodontal ligament (the membrane that holds the tooth connected to the bone). The first is gingivitis, the second is periodontitis and it has many levels of complexity as it advances. Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Your dentist and dental hygienist will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment. Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, causing irritation to the surrounding tissues. When these irritants remain in the pocket space, they can cause damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth! if the disease is caught in the early stages of gingivitis, and no damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings will be recommended. You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental cleanings. If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special periodontal cleaning called scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) will be recommended. It is usually done one quadrant of the mouth at a time while the area is numb. In this procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces are made smooth (planing). This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink. Medications, special medicated mouth rinses, and an electric tooth brush may be recommended to help control infection and healing. So the answer is that gingivitis is one form of periodontal disease.

It : It is a mistake people make using this terms interchangeably. In summary gingivitis is the initial stage of a periodontal disease, where the superficial part of your gum is affected(inflamed and reddish of color) and if left untreated the bacteria will multiply creating an acid medium favorable for the reproduction of bacteria, as you know acid destroys everything, more so all surrounding structures of the teeth meaning the bone, ligaments etc. When bone reabsorbs together with the gum inflammation (meaning infection) this will be the condition called periodontitis.

A : A question i hear often and as much the words seem to be interchanged by many patients. Essentially, gingivitis is an acute or reversible inflammation of the gum attachment to the tooth. The characteristic sign is swollen red gum tissue around the teeth. The cause is essentially increased plaque accumulation which causes a host or immune system challenge and hence the swollen gum, however other factors may be involved with this increased redness of the gum tissue including; fillings, braces, mouth breathing, hormonal increase (puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause) and medications. Treatment will include medical history review to make sure no other systemic concerns, and usually good oral hygiene and a professional cleaning. Periodontitis is what we call a chronic inflammatory disease which cannot be reversed by simple reduction of plaque. In this situation destruction of the seal of the tooth occurs as manifested by breakdown of the bone and gum attachment. The causes of the disease are generally bacteria, body's reaction to the bacteria, and bite. Other modifiers include medications, systemic health, smoking and oral habits and genetic history of periodontal disease. Professional treatment has to be performed to cease or slow the progress of this inflammatory process. Treatment has many options and it depends on the severity of the disease. Conventional treatment will address the causes of the disease (deep cleaning to remove as much bacteria - bite adjustment) and surgical intervention is to repair the areas effected by the disease. We now have the option of laser assisted periodontal therapy which makes the more advanced treatment much more comfortable and effective. Regardless of the diagnosis it is important for you to be evaluated by a dentist or periodontist and develop a treatment plan. Treatment of periodontal diseases is a life long challenge but as i tell my patients - you are worth the effort!

No they are not: Periodontal disease usually includes gingivitis as one of the symptom (gingival inflammation), but gingivitis may not progress to gingivitis (proven in research). Gingivitis is a condition of which the gum is inflamed. Periodontitis is a condition with the periodontal attachment (the bone, the cementum, the periodontal ligament) is loss due to bacteria/product, host reaction, and poor occlusion.