What Increases Your Risk of Gum Disease?
If you’ve ever noticed your gums bleeding when you brush, you may have wondered whether that is something to worry about. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 47 percent of American adults, about 64.7 million people, have some form of gum disease, and that number climbs to over 70 percent in adults 65 and older. Understanding the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis, the two main stages of gum disease, can help you know when a little extra brushing will fix the problem and when it is time to see a dentist.
At Forest Smiles in Forest, Virginia, Dr. Shane Claiborne and Dr. Emma Schmidt help patients throughout Lynchburg, Bedford, and Amherst County catch gum disease early, before it becomes a much bigger problem.
What Is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. It happens when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, builds up along the gumline and causes inflammation. The telltale signs are gums that look red or puffy and bleed easily when you brush or floss. The good news is that gingivitis, on its own, does not affect the bone or tissue that holds your teeth in place.
What Is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is what happens when gingivitis is left untreated. The inflammation spreads below the gumline, and the body’s own response to the ongoing infection begins to break down the bone and connective tissue that support your teeth. According to the CDC, roughly 8 percent of adults have severe periodontitis, a stage that often leads to loose teeth or tooth loss if it continues untreated.
What Increases Your Risk?
Plaque buildup is the most common cause behind both gingivitis and periodontitis, but it is not the only factor. Smoking, diabetes, certain medications that reduce saliva flow, and even genetics can make someone more likely to develop gum disease or make it progress more quickly once it starts. Hormonal changes, such as those during pregnancy, can also make gums more sensitive to plaque. Knowing your personal risk factors can help you and your dentist decide how often you should be seen for cleanings and checkups.
The Key Difference: Reversible vs. Irreversible
This is really the most important distinction between the two conditions. Gingivitis is reversible. With consistent brushing, flossing, and a professional cleaning, healthy gum tissue can bounce back completely. Periodontitis is not reversible in the same way. Once bone and connective tissue are lost, they do not grow back on their own, which is why the goal of periodontal treatment shifts from reversing damage to stopping it from getting worse and protecting the teeth you have left.
Symptoms to Watch For at Each Stage
Gingivitis symptoms tend to be mild: red or swollen gums, gums that bleed during brushing or flossing, and mild bad breath. Periodontitis symptoms are more serious and can include gums that pull away from the teeth, deep pockets forming between the teeth and gums, persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth, loose or shifting teeth, and changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite. If you notice any of these more advanced symptoms, it is important to schedule an exam rather than waiting to see if they improve on their own.
How Forest Smiles Treats Gum Disease
At Forest Smiles, periodontal treatment is tailored to how advanced the disease is. For gingivitis, a thorough professional cleaning combined with better home care is often enough to restore healthy gums. For more advanced periodontitis, treatment may involve a deeper cleaning below the gumline to remove bacteria and smooth the tooth root, which helps gums reattach more securely. In some cases, patients with more advanced periodontal disease may be referred to a specialist for additional care. Because gum disease can progress silently in its early stages, Dr. Claiborne and Dr. Schmidt check for it at every routine exam, which is one more reason regular checkups matter even when your teeth feel fine.
Don’t Wait for Symptoms to Get Worse
Because gingivitis is reversible and periodontitis is not, timing matters. The earlier gum disease is caught, the simpler and less invasive the treatment tends to be. If your gums bleed when you brush, look red or swollen, or you have noticed any changes in how your teeth feel, do not wait for the problem to resolve on its own.
Dr. Claiborne and Dr. Schmidt at Forest Smiles are ready to check your gum health and get you back on track. Call 434-944-9763 or request an appointment online to schedule your visit.