The short answer
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. Periodontitis is a deeper infection that damages the bone and tissue holding your teeth in place. Gingivitis can be fully reversed. Periodontitis cannot be reversed, but it can be controlled with treatment.
Think of it as two stages of the same disease. Gingivitis comes first. If it is not treated, it can turn into periodontitis. That is why catching gum trouble early matters so much.
A good way to remember it: gingivitis is a gum problem, and periodontitis is a gum and bone problem. Both start with the same sticky film of bacteria. What changes is how long it stays and how your body responds.
What gingivitis looks like
Gingivitis affects only the gums. The bone is still healthy and your teeth are still firmly anchored. Common signs include: red, puffy or shiny gums; gums that bleed when you brush or floss; tender gums; bad breath.
Healthy gums are pink and firm, and they do not bleed with normal brushing. If yours bleed often, that is not normal, even if it does not hurt. Many people with gingivitis feel no pain at all.
The cause is plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that builds up along the gum line. When plaque hardens into tartar, brushing at home cannot remove it. A professional cleaning does.
Pregnancy can also cause "pregnancy gingivitis," when hormone changes make gums more likely to swell and bleed. It is common and usually improves after the baby arrives, but it still deserves a dental visit and careful home care.
What periodontitis looks like
In periodontitis, the infection has moved below the gum line. Your body fights the bacteria, and that fight starts to break down the bone and fibers that hold your teeth. The gums pull away from the teeth and form deep spaces called pockets. These pockets trap more bacteria, and the damage grows.
Mayo Clinic notes that periodontitis can lead to tooth loss. It has also been linked to other health problems, which we explain in a separate article. Not everyone has pain, so symptoms alone are not a safe guide.
Signs of periodontitis can include:
- Gums that look swollen, dark red or purplish
- Gums that bleed easily
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste
- Gums that pull back, so teeth look longer
- Pus between your teeth and gums
- Teeth that feel loose or shift
- Pain when chewing
How common is it?
More common than most people think. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) reports that about 42 percent of U.S. adults aged 30 and older have periodontitis. About 8 percent have the severe form. For adults 65 and older, the number rises to almost 60 percent.
So if you have gum trouble, you are far from alone. And you are not "dirty." Genetics, smoking, diabetes, stress, some medicines and age all play a part.
Gum disease is also easy to miss because of how it feels. Many people in our chairs say, "But nothing hurts." Pain is a late sign, not an early one. That is why the numbers are so high and why a routine exam matters even when you feel fine.
How dentists tell them apart
You cannot diagnose this yourself. Your dentist and hygienist use two main tools:
A pocket check. A small ruler called a probe measures the space between the gum and tooth. Healthy pockets are about 1 to 3 millimeters deep. Deeper pockets, from about 4 millimeters, can point to periodontitis.
X-rays. Digital X-rays show the bone level around your teeth. Bone loss is the key difference between the two conditions.
Your dentist also looks at bleeding, gum color, loose teeth and your health history. Together these show which stage you are in.
Treatment for each stage
Gingivitis is treated with a thorough professional cleaning and better home care. Brush twice a day, clean between your teeth daily and keep your checkups. Most cases clear up fully.
Periodontitis needs more. The usual first treatment is scaling and root planing, often called a deep cleaning. It removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line and smooths the roots so the gums can heal against them. After that, many people need a cleaning every three to four months to keep the disease quiet. Advanced cases may need a gum specialist or surgery. Your dentist will tell you what fits your case.
The goal with periodontitis is to stop it from getting worse. Treated well, many people keep their teeth for life. Left alone, the bone loss keeps going.
Whichever stage you are in, the daily routine is the same: brush twice a day for two minutes, clean between your teeth once a day and keep your dental visits. What changes is how much professional help you need while your mouth recovers.
If you smoke, quitting helps your gums heal. Mayo Clinic lists tobacco as a major risk factor for periodontitis, and it can hide the bleeding that would otherwise warn you.
Why timing matters
The difference between the two comes down to bone. Bone that is lost to gum disease does not grow back on its own. That is why the line between gingivitis and periodontitis matters so much.
You may feel fine and still have gum disease. Most people do not notice until the disease is advanced. A routine exam with X-rays is the best way to catch it early. If you smoke, have diabetes or have a family history of gum disease, your risk is higher and checkups matter even more.
See your dentist soon if you notice bleeding gums, loose teeth, pus or gums that are pulling away from your teeth. A sudden swelling with fever or severe pain should be seen right away.
Think about it in terms of years. A tooth with healthy bone can last a lifetime. A tooth that has lost half its bone has less to hold on to, and each new round of infection takes more. Catching the problem at the gingivitis stage, or early in periodontitis, gives your teeth the longest runway.
How KDA checks your gums
Every cleaning and exam at KDA includes a look at your gum health. We use digital X-rays and 3D imaging so we can see what is under the gum line, not only what is on top. Our hygienists spend an hour with you for a routine cleaning, which gives them time to look closely and measure carefully.
If we find gum disease, we explain what stage it is in, what treatment fits and what it involves. Our practice offers periodontal care for patients who need it, so you do not have to start over somewhere new.
Call 305-271-1421 to book a visit. You can find us at 8833 SW 107th Ave, Miami, in the Kendall Mall, Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We accept most dental insurances and most Medicare supplemental plans, and financing is available. We also provide emergency care 24/7.
Common questions
Can gingivitis and periodontitis be told apart at home?
Not reliably. Both can cause bleeding and bad breath. Only a dentist can measure pockets and check bone on X-rays.
Does periodontitis always lead to tooth loss?
No. With treatment and regular follow-up care, many people keep their teeth. Without treatment, the risk of tooth loss goes up as the bone is lost.
Is periodontitis painful?
Often it is not, especially early on. That is why people miss it. Do not wait for pain.
Can gingivitis turn into periodontitis?
Yes, if the plaque and tartar stay on your teeth. Not every case progresses, but there is no way to know which will. Early treatment is the safe path.
Who is at higher risk for periodontitis?
People who smoke, have diabetes, have a family history of gum disease or are older. Stress and some medicines also raise risk.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Your dentist will confirm what is right for you at your exam. General information checked against: my.clevelandclinic.org, mayoclinic.org, nidcr.nih.gov, mouthhealthy.org.