Comprehensive dental hygiene is the foundation of a healthy, beautiful smile. Many patients are unaware that the leading cause of tooth loss is not dental decay, but chronic periodontal disease.
What is Gingivitis vs. Periodontitis? Gingivitis and periodontitis are chronic inflammatory conditions of the mouth, in which bacteria in your mouth stick to the roots of your teeth above or below the gums and form a gritty film, called plaque. If left untreated, minerals in your saliva (such as calcium) integrate into the plaque film and cause it to become hard, similar to the consistency of bone. The key difference in gingivitis and periodontitis is one is reversible (gingivitis) and the other is irreversible (periodontitis).
How do gingivitis and periodontitis affect my mouth? Your body recognizes this new accumulation of bacterial plaque and sends inflammatory cells to combat this bacterial infection. This is the same process that occurs when you get a cut on your skin and inflammation ensues, causing redness and swelling. If your gums bleed easily when you brush or floss, or appear red and puffy, you likely have gingivitis which is the first reversible stage of disease, or you could have periodontitis which is the later irreversible disease state.
How do I know if I have gingivitis or periodontitis? Your dentist or dental hygienist are specially trained to recognize, prevent, and treat these conditions. The key difference, which your dentist or hygienist will recognize through x-rays and gum measurements, is bone loss. Your teeth are surrounded by bone in your upper and lower jaws that provide strength and stability, When plaque or calculus remain attached to the roots of your teeth for extended periods of time, acid is constantly produced. Think about it. Every time you eat, the bacteria in your mouth also gets to eat, and after that bacteria digests its delicious meal it expels acid (yuck!). That acid, in combination with your body’s natural inflammatory cells, slowly eats away at the bone surrounding your teeth until they eventually become loose and fall out (or require extraction).
How do I prevent gingivitis and periodontitis? Routine dental cleanings in combination with excellent home care are the key tools to prevention or maintenance. You should have your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year. Even if you are the best brusher in the world there are some areas of your mouth where plaque and calculus accumulate that can only be removed with scaling techniques performed by a dental professional. That does not mean if you get your teeth cleaned twice a year you can ignore your teeth at home. You must brush twice a day at home and floss regularly to keep a healthy mouth between visits.