Gum disease happens in two stages: gingivitis, the earliest stage, and periodontitis, the advanced stage.
What You Should Know about Gingivitis vs Periodontitis
What Is Gingivitis?
Since gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, it is sometimes reversible. If we detect it early and you're proactive about treatment, you may be able to reverse your gingivitis with a thorough professional cleaning and some improvements to your home care routine.
While gingivitis can be hard to detect on your own, here are some of the early signs:
- Gums bleeding during brushing or flossing
- Red, irritated, or swollen gums
- Chronic bad breath that doesn't go away with brushing or flossing
Understanding Periodontitis
Periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease, where the damage is irreversible. Unfortunately, there's no cure for periodontitis, but we can help you keep it under control with additional cleanings and treatment throughout the year.
Some of the signs you may notice with periodontitis are:
- Tooth mobility
- Pain or tenderness with chewing
- A foul taste or odor in your mouth
We can help you manage your periodontal health at Cherry Blossom Family Dentistry, and routine visits with Dr. Wareham can help prevent gum disease.
Talk with our team at (813) 438-5925 to schedule an appointment.