What is the difference between having gingivitis and periodontitis?

Yes: Gingivitis is reversible. Periodontitis is irreversible. Routine dental cleanings help to prevent periodontal disease. Once you have periodontal disease you will always have it. You may be scheduled to get your teeth cleaned and maintained four times a year not twice a year. Also, your home care will need to be excellent to keep this disease from becoming active.

Disease Progression: Gingivitis means inflammation in your gums surrounding your teeth. Periodontitis occurs when gingivitis goes unchecked and this condition involves inflammation of not just your gums but tissues supporting your teeth in the bony socket and the bone.

Early /late stages: When you get inflammation of the gum tissues around the teeth , that is gingivitis , when that gingivitis stays untreated, then it turns to periodontitis , which is the inflammation of all the tissues surrounding the teeth including the gums, periodontal ligaments around the teeth roots and the bone sockets of those teeth.

Dental exam: Gingivitis means your gums are inflammed but if it progresses deeper and the bacteria gets into the jawbone, you have periodontitis, you may notice a fetid odor or loosening teeth; but the only sure diagnosis is from a periodontal exam and x-rays with your dentist.