Gingivitis vs. Periodontitis — What’s the Difference?

Gingivitis, periodontitis, and gum disease — these words get used frequently in conversations about dentistry and oral health. It can be easy to get confused, especially since they are all used in reference to gum health, and often with similar connotations. Let’s take a moment to clear things up. Gum disease is a general term that can refer to either gingivitis or periodontitis, which are terms that define how severe the gum disease is. Let’s talk about some of the key differences between these conditions.