If we have to talk about an area of the mouth that is vital in everything related to oral health, this is none other than the gums. In fact, we can without the shade of a doubt, that the gums are, along with the tongue, the forgotten ones. Differences between a periodontitis and a gingivitis.
The gums are so much are neglected that, currently, two of the most recurring pathologies, have to do precisely with the gums: periodontitis and gingivitis.
How are periodontitis and gingivitis different?
When we talk about gingivitis, we talk about an inflammation that only affects the gums. The cause of this disease lies in what is known as bacterial plaque.
This, in fact, is nothing other than the combination of bacteria communities that inhabit the inside of the mouth. It must be said that for a dentist, this problem is easily identifiable thanks to clear symptoms:
- Noticeable inflammation of the gums, visible even to the naked eye by the patient himself.
- Pronounced reddening of the gums especially on the bottom part.
- bleeding of the gums, even moderate, that can happen through contact with the toothbrush, or with food.
The main difference between periodontitis and gingivitis has to do with the damage that occurs in the gums. While in gingivitis we mentioned above about superficial damage to the gums, in the case of periodontitis, we are talking about something more serious. Indeed, in this second case there are damages not only in the gums but also to all the adjacent tissues that hold the teeth such as the alveolar bone or the periodontal ligament.
The symptoms of periodontitis are very similar to those that occur in gingivitis. However, the causes are different. In this case, this disease occurs when the remains of food reach the areas under the gums. This causes our immune system to activate and our own protective toxins are those that damage our tissues as well as the bone structures.
Once the infection has spread enough, and unlike gingivitis, the patient can begin to lose teeth which is, obviously a serious disorder.
The importance of preventive measures
To conclude, it must be said that maintaining the health of the gums is not as complicated as one might imagine. Simply brushing your teeth daily to eliminate all the remains of food and then complementing with an intense rinse and flossing. This way, the problems we have mentioned above can be prevented.