Reversible vs Managed: The Tipping Point Between Gingivitis and Gum Disease

Gingivitis vs Periodontitis

Gum disease is a staged condition that starts as gingivitis. Without treatment, it may advance to periodontitis, which is the most severe form of gum disease, requring ongoing treatment with your dentist.

Gingivitis: The Stage You Can Still Reverse

With gingivitis, you have infections and inflammation, but they are limited to the soft tissues and have not yet damaged the bone or invaded tooth-supporting ligaments.

According to studies, gingivitis is often reversible if caught early, before the disease penetrates the bone and periodontal ligament.

Common signs of gingivitis include:

Bleeding gums, especially when brushing and flossing
Red or puffy gums
Recurring bad breath

Typically, a scale and clean, daily biofilm management, nutritional practices and at-home care are sufficient to reverse gingivitis.

The Tipping Point: When Gingivitis Becomes Periodontitis

When your dentist does not address gingivitis in Prahran, it can graduate to periodontitis, which is far more serious.

With periodontitis, infections and inflammation extend below the gumline, forming pockets and disrupting the attachment of the gums to the bone. At this stage, you may notice new symptoms, such as loose teeth and significant gum recession, or pockets of 4 millimetres or more.

Periodontitis is merely treatable because the lost bone does not grow back. However, treatment may save your teeth and prevent serious complications to your overall health.

Risk factors that speed up gum disease progression include:

Smoking
Diabetes
Stress
Irregular Dental Visits
Poor Oral Hygiene

Living with Managed Gum Disease

Managed gum disease involves a custom plan to help combat the symptoms and prevent further bone loss and serious health complications, such as heart and lung issues. Managed care may include regular specialised teeth cleans, laser treatments in our dental office and instructions for at-home hygiene.