The starting point for gum and bone disease is a bad oral hygiene and bad dental restorations. A simple gum inflammation is called gingivitis and can be treated through cleaning. On the other hand, periodontitis, a more serious infection, will affect not only the gum but also the bone. Treating periodontitis is more difficult and can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. During your next visit, ask our dentists about the right way to brush and floss your teeth.
What is Gingivitis
Gingivitis literally means inflammation of the gum or gingiva. As mentioned above, it’s the first stage of gum disease. The first symptoms of gingivitis are red, swollen gums that bleed easily during brushing. In general, there is little or no pain during this stage. The treatment of gingivitis is easy; it can be solved by several professional cleanings associated with appropriate hygiene at home. Gingivitis is completely reversible.
What is Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a complication that stems from gingivitis. With time, the bacteria causing gingivitis will grow in numbers and will attack the tissue surrounding your teeth. At some point, the toxins produced by the bacteria will trespass your gum barrier and will eventually reach the bone. In return, your body’s immune system will produce a response to this inflammation, that will cause the destruction of the bone and tissues that support your teeth. The gum will then be separated from the tooth, forming a pocket that will also be infected. This pocket will increase if no treatment is done, causing more bone and gum loss. The treatment of Periodontitis consists of removing and cleaning the bacteria in the roots by a manual or surgical procedure. Sometimes bone grafts are done in order to save the tooth.
