What is the difference between Periodontal Disease and Gingivitis?

About 5 or 6 months ago, I went to the dentist because my gums had started bleeding. As I brush my teeth twice a day and always at least rinse with water, I was just told to brush my gums more, or floss or use mouthwash. The symptoms went away, but now the bleeding is back (mainly when I floss) and 2 days ago I noticed my gum in between my two front teeth had swelled and was slightly red. Since yesterday, I have noticed another area of gum swelling and thin redness around about 3 or 4 more teeth. I don't understand as it has all happened so quick. I am worried. If it is only Gingivitis then what stage does it sound like? Also, my dentist appointment is 5 days away. I have went to get Corsodyl mouthwash to try and last me until then and have just started my first treatment. I can make an emergency appointment, but I don't know how necessary and appropriate it would be as I don't really know how bad it is...any advice?

Approximately 90 per cent of the adult people are affected by gingivitis. Most of these people remain oblivious about the silent development of gingivitis as it is initially painless. By and by, gingivitis can cause serious health implications. There can be swollen gums and bleeding while eating or brushing. If left unattended, gingivitis can even lead to indigestion and other tummy problems. Gingivitis can aggravate to periodontitis or pyorrhea. This is an extreme infectious situation when the teeth supporting bone starts eroding. Blisters can also appear. Pyorrhea signs are bad breath, painful gums and bleeding. The primary reasons of pyorrhea are excessive alcohol, smoking, poor mouth hygiene, poor nutrition, improper brushing, glandular disorders, chronic illness, and blood ailments. Smokers are more prone to develop pyorrhea and lose teeth than others. Note that bleeding gums can also be caused by brushing too hard or by using too hard a toothbrush.

When Gingivitis goes untreated, it goes into periodontal disease which just ruins the gums. There are some treatments that the Periodontist can do--like scaling the gums...but it is very expensive and very painful.

Go buy some mouthwash that is non-alcoholic and kills germs and bacteria. That will really help. Crest makes one. You can also use Listerine--but that contains a lot of alcohol and that can cause damage if you use it too often.

Do you floss daily? The redness and swelling may simply be some food caught between your teeth. Start flossing. Your gums will be sore for a few days until they get used to being flossed, but that little bit of pain is worth it if it helps you keep your teeth.

Baking soda is awesome to brush your teeth with and will help with the periodontal disease. (It doesn't have the greatest taste but it works!)

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums.

Continue brushing and flossing (only floss the teeth you want to keep). Using a mouth rinse is also a good idea.

Try: www.webmd.com for additional info.

Best wishes!

perio disease is the advanced form of gum disease..it usually presents itself with moblie teeth and bone loss and pocketing..this is usually irreversible where as gingivitis can be rectified

Sniffles > Cold > Bronchitis > Pneumonia.

Gingivitis > Periodontitis.

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of periodontal disease, but we tend to reserve the term "periodontal disease" for the more advanced stages where the germs have made their way farther down the root of the tooth where they start to damage the fibers between the tooth and bone and then the bone itself.

two words...bone loss.

gingivitis is only the swelling of gum tissue prior to permanent damage being done. if left untreated it progresses and results in losing the bone that anchors the teeth to your jaw bones.

An -Itis is an inflammation in a part of the body-otitis=ear,bronchitis=bronchi of the lungs,gingivitis=gums.
periodontal disease is a tooth related disease (around the tooth),possibly the cause of the inflammation.

It sounds like you are doing the right thing but you may be still missing areas of plaque....or are not doing the treatment regularly enough.
Plaque is mainly bacteria which produces toxins that cause the gum to swell, become red and bleed.
Gingivitis is a stage of periodontal disease which can progress slowly over time.
Corsodyl Mouthwash will kill the bacteria which cause this but the most effective way of dealing with your problem is :
Brush twice daily - on every surface of every tooth.
Concentrate on the area where the tooth meets the gum.
Buy disclosing tablets which show areas of plaque you may be missing and re-brush until all signs of plaque are gone.
Floss between teeth - bleeding is a sign of inflammation - don't let that put you off - it means there's been plaque lying against the gum which hasn't been removed efficiently.
If all plaque is removed efficiently, daily - the signs of gingivitis will disappear.
The best mouthwash for reducing inflammation is warm salt mouthwash - a cup of warm water (as hot as a cup of tea) add a teaspoon of salt and stir. Rinse your mouth till you have used the whole cup and repeat this every hour or so.
When you visit the dentist - explain your problem and they will be happy to give you oral hygiene instruction.
It's not classed as an emergency if you are not having pain, had to take pain killers, or has kept you awake through the night.
Good luck!

I cant say why it has come back in a worse state, it depends on if you are still brushing effectively. Are you brushing too hard? Are you brushing twice a day? Do you take any medicines? Some medicines for certain illnesses can affect the mouth and is normally the first place for it to manifest. About 85% of the population have a certain amount of gum disease (at different levels) also it can depend on your ethnicity, middle eastern people are prone to bad gums. Periodontal disease will occur if the earlier gingivitis has been left untreated, it will start to wear away the periodontal legiments (bone and tissue holding the teeth and gums etc together). Ther eis no harm in calling for an emergency appointment