Gingivitis and periodontitis: how they differ

In short: gingivitis is inflammation of the gum (it bleeds, it’s red) and it’s reversible: it heals with hygiene and a clean. Periodontitis is the advanced stage, when the infection has already destroyed bone, and that damage cannot be recovered. The difference is enormous: gingivitis is the timely warning; periodontitis is the problem already established. That’s why bleeding gums are never ignored.

The difference that changes everything

They are two stages of the same disease, but with a chasm between them:

	Gingivitis	Periodontitis
What it affects	Only the gum	Gum and bone
Reversible?	Yes	No (lost bone doesn’t come back)
Signs	Bleeding, red gum	+ recession, loose teeth, bad breath
Treatment	Hygiene + clean	Deep cleaning, maintenance, sometimes surgery

The key word is reversible. With gingivitis you’re still in time to make everything good as new. With periodontitis you can only halt the progression and keep what remains.

How do you recognise gingivitis?

By a sign that almost everyone plays down: gums that bleed when brushing or biting into hard fruit. They also tend to look red and swollen. Since it doesn’t hurt, it’s left to slide… and that’s the mistake. You have a dedicated guide in bleeding gums, what to do.

The good news: by correcting your brushing technique, cleaning well between the teeth and with a professional dental clean, gingivitis heals.

And if it has already become periodontitis?

Then we’re talking about periodontics: deep cleaning treatment below the gum and lifelong maintenance to stop it advancing further. We cover it in what is periodontitis. The sooner it’s caught, the more teeth are saved.

The idea to take home

Don’t wait for a tooth to become loose. Bleeding gums are gingivitis giving warning, and it’s the best moment to act, while everything can still be reversed. Ignoring it for years is what opens the door to periodontitis.

If your gums bleed, come for a check-up: we’ll tell you which stage you’re at and what to do. The first visit is free. Book an appointment as soon as possible.