If you’ve been diagnosed with gum (periodontal) disease during a recent trip to the dentist, you’re probably curious as to whether it can be completely cured. The answer? It all depends on the stage of gum disease you have. Early gum disease (gingivitis) can often be reversed with professional treatment and improved oral hygiene. More advanced periodontal disease, on the other hand, generally cannot be reversed, but it can often be managed successfully. The sooner you seek treatment, the better your chances of protecting your gums and natural teeth.
Catching Gum Disease in the Early Stages
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and occurs when plaque and bacteria build up around the gumline and cause inflammation. Common signs include red, swollen, or bleeding gums – finding “pink in the sink” during brushing happens a lot.
Fortunately, gingivitis is generally reversible with professional cleanings and better oral hygiene on your part at home. Your dentist or dental hygienist can remove plaque and tartar that you can’t on your own, while improving your brushing and flossing routine can help prevent the inflammation from returning.
Once the underlying cause is addressed, healthy gum tissue can often return to its normal condition.
What About Periodontitis?
When gum disease progresses to periodontitis, the infection begins affecting the tissues and bone that support your teeth. Gum recession, pockets around the teeth, bone loss, and loose teeth can develop.
Periodontitis cannot typically be “cured” in the same way that gingivitis can be reversed. However, treatment can control the infection and slow or stop further progression.
Depending on the severity of your condition, treatment may include a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing, improved at-home care, antibiotic therapy, or other periodontal procedures.
Your dentist may also refer you to a periodontist for specialized treatment if your gum disease is advanced.
What Can You Do at Home?
Professional treatment is only part of managing gum disease. Your daily habits play an important role, too.
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between them daily using floss, interdental brushes, or another method recommended by your dental professional. Twice-a-year dental cleanings can also help control plaque and tartar.
If you smoke or use tobacco, quitting can significantly benefit your gum health. Managing health conditions that can affect your oral health, like diabetes, and maintaining a balanced diet are also important parts of an overall approach to wellness.
Gum disease doesn’t always cause pain, so you shouldn’t wait until your gums become severely uncomfortable before seeking treatment. Bleeding during brushing or flossing, chronic bad breath, swollen gums, gum recession, and loose teeth can all be warning signs. The earlier you address gum disease, the more opportunities you have to preserve your natural teeth and maintain healthy gums.
About the Practice
Here at Baldwin Family Dental in Panama City, Dr. Waheed and Dr. Case stress the importance of regular checkups and cleanings to catch potential gum disease as soon as possible. If it’s progressed to gingivitis or worse, our team can perform scaling and root planing followed by antibiotic therapy to manage and possibly reverse your condition. Call us at (850) 215-0128 to schedule an appointment or book through our website.