For the Record

If your dentist tells you that you have gingival pockets and need a root planing but "do not have periodontal disease"-  that is a flat-out lie.
Gingival pockets mean Inflammation which means Immune Response, and root planing is only required for an excessive build up of plaque which is Bacteria.

Gingivitis IS low level periodontal infection.  Just because they have vague boundaries for the scientific terms is a matter of semantics, not science.

If they ignore gingivitis, just tell you to brush and floss more often- you will get periodontitis.
Good for dentists' revenue stream, not so much for your head.

Trust me.  Been there, done that.  Ruined my life.
And this would have prevented all of it.