It is commonly asked whether there is any difference between gingivitis or periodontitis, the answer to that is yes. Gingivitis and periodontitis are two different terms representing two separate stages of gum disease. Gum disease starts with bacterial infection, which if left untreated can lead to gum tissue destruction, which in turn would result in the loss of tooth.

The next question arises whether gingivitis occurs first or periodontitis. Gingivitis occurs before periodontitis but it is not necessary that gingivitis would lead to periodontitis. Poor dental hygiene causes gingivitis. The bacterial infection then sets in the plaque buildup and leads to swollen gums. If an individual suffering from this condition brushes their teeth, this would cause the gums to bleed.

In the early part of this condition, the gums are red and inflamed but the teeth are still intact in the sockets. In this stage, there is no irreversible change in either bone or gum tissue. If this condition is left untreated, this can definitely lead to periodontitis. When periodontitis sets in, the inner gum tissue and bone starts to pull away from the tooth and this will result in the formation of a pocket.

If still left untreated, these pockets will fill up with debris and cause infection to grow further. Now as the infection grows, the immune system starts to fight the germs and the infection starts to spread well below the gum line. This condition grows bad when bacteria starts producing toxins and when it acts along with the body’s normal enzymes, it starts to tear down the bone as well as the gum tissue that is holding the tooth in place.

This results in deepening of the pockets and more bone and gum tissue is destroyed. When it reaches this point, then the teeth are no longer supported by gum or bone and it is when the teeth are loose enough to fall. This is how gum disease can result in tooth loss. Thus anyone who is suffering from gum disease must not consider it small and must take an immediate action.