06-19-2025
Gum disease is the general term for any infection in your gums or surrounding tissue. Gingivitis and periodontitis are stages of gum disease, but how do the two compare (gingivitis vs. periodontitis), and what’s the difference? In this article, we’ll discuss what you need to know about what’s going on inside your mouth. We’ll do a deep dive into the two stages of gum disease to help you identify and treat them for a healthier mouth.
Key Takeaways
- Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease and is typically caused by plaque buildup in the area where your teeth meet your gums. Gingivitis is reversible (and preventable) with a good oral hygiene routine and regular visits to your dentist.
- Periodontitis is the next stage of gum disease and is caused by untreated gingivitis. Periodontitis itself can be divided into three stages: early, moderate, and advanced. These stages of gum disease can only be treated by a dental professional.
- The best way to treat gingivitis and prevent it from developing into periodontitis is a professional cleaning twice a year and maintaining a good oral hygiene routine that includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing.
Gingivitis vs. Periodontitis
Gingivitis is the first and mildest stage of gum disease that results from a buildup of plaque, bacteria, and tartar around the edges of your gums. It does not damage the supporting tissue around your teeth and is reversible with regular brushing, flossing, rinsing, and dental visits.
Periodontitis is the next stage of gum disease and is broken into its own three stages: mild, moderate, and advanced. It does damage the supporting tissue, ligaments, and bone (the periodontium) around your teeth and can only be treated by a dental professional.
Gingivitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Causes of Gingivitis
Plaque buildup is the main cause of gingivitis, but other habits, lifestyle choices, and medical issues can contribute as well.
Variables that can contribute to plaque buildup — and, ultimately, to gingivitis — are:
Medications
Hormonal changes
Smoking and chewing tobacco
Poor nutrition
While you may not be able to control your medications and hormonal changes, you can certainly control your tobacco use and diet.
Now that we know the causes of gingivitis, let’s take a closer look at the possible symptoms.
Symptoms of Gingivitis
The primary symptoms of gingivitis are:
Red, swollen, or puffy gums
Bleeding gums (especially when you brush or floss)
Tender gums
Bad breath
Treatment for Gingivitis
Gingivitis can be reversed and eliminated with the right oral hygiene routine — including brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist twice a year for professional cleanings and checkups.
If you want to get rid of gingivitis — or prevent it from forming in the first place — brush your teeth twice a day with an electric toothbrush and stannous fluoride toothpaste, floss at least once a day, and rinse twice a day with an antibacterial mouthwash.
It’s important to quit smoking and consume a balanced diet of lean protein, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and whole grains. Limit sugary, starchy foods as much as possible, as these are a main contributor to plaque buildup and gingivitis.
Periodontitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Causes of Periodontitis
As we mentioned, the term “periodontitis” refers to advanced stages of gum disease, which starts with gingivitis as the first stage. So, the causes of gingivitis are the same things that cause periodontitis, even if periodontal disease is a multifactorial disease.
That said, gingivitis is completely reversible (and preventable), so the main cause of periodontitis is neglecting to maintain a good oral hygiene routine and allowing gingivitis to progress untreated.
Symptoms of Periodontitis
As periodontitis progresses, you may start to notice these symptoms:
Receding gums (that leave unprotected parts of your teeth exposed)
Loose teeth
Deep pockets between gums and teeth
Pain when chewing
Gum abscesses
Pus buildup
Left untreated, periodontitis can spread into your jaw and cause more serious problems in other parts of your body. If you think you might have periodontitis, see your dentist right away for treatment.
Treatment for Periodontitis
Unfortunately, periodontitis can’t be treated at home — you’ll need to see a dental professional for treatment.
Professional treatments include:
Scaling (extensive removal of plaque and tartar buildup from the surface of the tooth)
Root planing (smoothing the roots of the tooth)
Antibiotics (specialized medications that can only be prescribed by a dental professional)
Bone grafting
Tissue grafting
Flap surgery
Although you’ve undergone treatment for periodontitis, you’ll still need to stick to a good oral hygiene routine and visit your dentist at least twice a year (maybe even more often) to prevent plaque buildup.
How to Prevent Gingivitis and Periodontitis
The absolute best way to prevent gingivitis and periodontitis is by maintaining an effective oral hygiene routine, changing certain lifestyle habits, and visiting your dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning and checkup.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
What does “good” oral hygiene look like? Follow these steps:
Brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush and a dentist-approved toothpaste containing stannous fluoride twice a day
Floss once a day
Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash
Stop Smoking
Tobacco use of any kind hinders your body’s ability to fight infection, reduces blood flow to your extremities (including your gums), and prevents tissue repair.
In essence, tobacco makes it much harder for your body to get rid of plaque and prevent gingivitis and periodontitis.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Your diet plays a big part in the plaque buildup that can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis.
A diet full of sugary, starchy foods and drinks basically supercharges the bacteria in your mouth and speeds up plaque formation, which leads to the first stage of gum disease.
Limit those types of foods as much as possible, and eat a good balance of the following:
Lean protein (e.g., chicken, fish, and turkey)
Fruit (e.g., apples, oranges, grapes, and bananas)
Vegetables (e.g., broccoli, spinach, carrots, and celery)
Whole grains (e.g., bread, oatmeal, and rice)
Healthy fats (e.g., nuts and seeds, olive oil, and avocado)
If you do choose to indulge in a starchy snack or a sugary drink, brush your teeth soon after to remove as much of the plaque-causing bacteria as possible before it settles on your teeth and gums.
Gingivitis and Periodontitis Prevention Starts with a Great Oral Hygiene Routine
When it comes to preventing and treating gingivitis and periodontitis, there are few things better than a good oral hygiene routine and the right toothbrush.
If you’re still using a manual toothbrush, consider switching to an electric option, like the Oral-B iO Electric Toothbrush Series. These toothbrushes use micro-vibrating bristles and a dentist-inspired round brush head to remove 100% more bacterial plaque than manual toothbrushes.
And, with smart pressure sensors, custom modes, and guided brushing, the Oral-B iO Series can help you maintain healthy gums.
Sources
About the Author
Francesca Dusio is an Italian registered dentist with a strong international background and a passion for integrating business with dentistry working in the Oral Care industry. She graduated in Dentistry from the University of Turin, Italy and holds a Master of Science in Dental Science as well as a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. Currently, Francesca is pursuing a Master’s in Orthodontics to further enhance her expertise in dentistry. Francesca has developed a diverse skill set through her work as a Professional & Scientific Relations Manager at Procter & Gamble, where she focuses on scientific communication and training for sales teams. She has managed a team of Clinical Experts and organized various educational conferences, built strong relationships with universities and scientific societies. She is dedicated to continuous learning and is passionate about improving oral health through research and education. Francesca has been partnering with the team at Oral-B by fact-checking and reviewing our blogs on dental health. You can find a list of the blogs Francesca has approved below:
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