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 is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
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.
What can you do next?
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 you seek dental care?
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 the dentist?
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.