Periodontitis often occurs when gingivitis goes untreated. The gums and the deep tissues of the mouth and jaw can become severely inflamed. The infection can get so great that the infection gets deep into the jaw and causes bone degeneration. The teeth can become loose and teeth can be lost. When the teeth fall out or are extracted, the other teeth can move out of place. The infection can cause the tissues of the gums to become deformed.
What is the difference between periodontitis and gingivitis?
Gingivitis and periodontitis are both periodontal diseases; gingivitis is usually present before a person develops periodontitis. Periodontitis is much more severe because the infection invades the deeper tissues of the mouth and jaw. With gingivitis, the gums become irritated and inflamed, but with periodontitis the infection travels below the gum line and infects the connective tissue and bone.
Gingivitis can be treated easily; once the infection is treated and the individual takes proper care of the teeth and gums, the tissue can heal. With periodontitis, the infection can cause permanent tissue and bone degeneration. With gingivitis the teeth are still firmly intact in the jaw; however, the bone loss from periodontitis causes the teeth to become loose.
Types of periodontitis
There are a few types of periodontitis; they are aggressive, chronic, necrotizing, and periodontitis caused by systemic diseases. The different types of periodontitis will be discussed below.
Aggressive periodontitis
The aggressive form of periodontitis develops quickly. This type of periodontal disease is quite common in families with poor dental and oral hygiene. It is also quite common in people who smoke regularly.
Chronic periodontitis
The chronic form of periodontitis is more common than the aggressive form. Chronic periodontitis may seem to come and go. The individual with this disease may suffer for awhile and seem to get better for awhile.
Necrotizing periodontitis
The necrotizing form of periodontitis is the most extensive. The tissue becomes necrosed, which means that the tissue dies. This form of periodontal disease is prevalent among people who are immunosuppressed. Necrotizing periodontitis is quite common in people who live with HIV and AIDS.
Systemic periodontitis
Systemic periodontitis is generally referred to as periodontitis caused by systemic diseases. The systemic diseases which can cause this form of periodontitis include diabetes, HIV, AIDS, leukemia, and others.
Types of gingivitis
The types of gingivitis include chronic, acute necrotizing ulcerative (ANUG), desquamative gingivitis. The different types of gingivitis will be discussed below.
Chronic gingivitis
This type of gingivitis is most commonly related to poor oral and dental hygiene. Chronic gingivitis can be easily treated by practicing good oral hygiene.
Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG)
This type of gingivitis is severe. It is very much like necrotizing periodontitis. ANUG is more likely to turn into necrotizing periodontitis than the chronic form of the disease.
Desquamative gingivitis
This is a serious form of gingivitis. The gum tissue separates from the teeth. Desquamative gingivitis is usually quite painful because nerve endings become exposed. The gums erode away from the teeth and become deformed looking. In fact, if you rub your finger across your gums, the surface of the gums will roll up and rub off.
Conclusion
While gingivitis and periodontitis are both periodontal diseases, gingivitis is usually the precursor that leads to periodontitis. The longer gingivitis goes untreated the worse it can get. Oftentimes, a person acquires periodontitis because he/she is embarrassed to seek help from a dental professional. Logically, the person knows that dentists and oral surgeons have seen many forms of dental problems, but they are too embarrassed to even let a trained professional look at his/her mouth. Thus, the problem only gets worse.
If you have an untreated case of gingivitis, seek help before it turns into something much more serious. There is no need to suffer from emotion and physical pain associated with periodontal diseases. The doctor is trained to treat you. He/she will not judge you for having a problem that needs treatment.
Sources:
Mayoclinic.com
Merck.com
Webmd.com
