Gingivitis vs gum disease pictures
Gingivitis inflames the gums, while periodontitis damages the tissues and bone supporting the teeth.
The short answer
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums without loss of the supporting attachment, while periodontitis is gum disease with damage to the tissues and bone that support teeth.
What gum changes can gingivitis cause?
Gingivitis may make gums red, puffy, or prone to bleeding during brushing. Periodontitis can create deeper gum pockets, recession, tooth movement, or changes in how teeth meet, and photographs alone cannot determine the stage or cause.
How can you check gum disease beyond online pictures?
Clean along the gum margins and between teeth every day, and arrange a periodontal examination rather than relying on online pictures. A dentist or hygienist may measure pocket depths, check bleeding, assess mobility, and take dental X-rays when bone levels need evaluation.
When should repeated gum symptoms be assessed?
Book care for repeated bleeding, persistent swelling, gum recession, bad breath with gum symptoms, loose teeth, or a new gap. Prompt assessment matters when chewing becomes uncomfortable or an abscess develops.
What should you ask about gingivitis or periodontitis?
Ask whether the findings are gingivitis or periodontitis, what the pocket measurements and bone levels show, and which home care and professional treatment are appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Can this problem have more than one cause?
Yes. A dental examination distinguishes the tooth, gum, jaw, or oral-tissue problem and guides treatment.
What information helps at the appointment?
Note when it started, what makes it better or worse, and any swelling, bleeding, sensitivity, injury, or change in chewing.
Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.