Get useful tips on How to Reverse Gum Disease.
Over 64 million Americans experience gum disease, impacting nearly half of the adult population.
This widespread condition targets the gums and tooth root structures, where bacteria can spread and lead to serious issues, including tooth loss.
While gum disease has multiple stages and variations, each poses risks to oral health and requires proper treatment. Fortunately, skilled dental professionals are equipped with the knowledge and techniques to help reverse gum disease.
Stages of Gum Disease
Gingivitis (Mild Gum Disease)
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and often shows no noticeable symptoms. It may only be detected during a routine dental checkup and cleaning. However, if your gums bleed while brushing or flossing, it could be an early sign of gingivitis.
Improving your oral hygiene can frequently reverse gingivitis. In some cases, a deep cleaning procedure, known as scaling and root planing, is needed to remove bacteria and smooth tooth roots to encourage gum health and reattachment.
Slight Periodontal Disease
With slight periodontal disease, the gum infection has progressed to the bone, leading to initial bone loss. This stage can often be controlled with scaling and root planing. In certain cases, soft tissue gingival surgery or laser pocket reduction treatment may be necessary. Soft tissue laser treatment aids in healing infected gum pockets and significantly reduces bacterial presence in the gums.
Moderate Periodontal Disease
When gum disease is left untreated, the infection can progress to moderate periodontal disease. Treatment options often include soft tissue laser therapy, scaling, and root planing. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to address the infection effectively.
Severe Periodontal Disease
In cases of advanced periodontal disease, bacteria are actively destroying the soft tissues and bone structures that support your teeth, leading to bone loss that may affect facial structure and cause tooth loss. The gums may recede significantly, exposing tooth roots. This advanced stage can be painful, with symptoms like swelling, difficulty chewing, tooth sensitivity, oozing gums, and severe bad breath.
Severe periodontal disease poses a major risk not only to oral health but to overall well-being, as it has been linked to chronic health issues such as stroke, diabetes, respiratory complications, pregnancy complications, osteoporosis, and heart disease.
How to Reverse Gum Disease
Preventative Care
The most effective way to reverse periodontitis is to prevent it from progressing in the first place.
Start with brushing twice daily for at least two minutes each time, and floss once a day. These actions help remove food particles and bacteria, keeping the mouth cleaner and reducing the risk of long-term damage.
It’s also essential to visit a dental professional at least once a year. These visits offer insights into your overall oral health, allowing the dentist to identify potential issues early on so you can address them promptly.
Plaque Removal
A key part of dental checkups is a professional cleaning, where plaque and tartar are removed. This process is vital for reversing gum disease.
Plaque, the sticky film on your teeth that you might feel with your tongue, forms from everyday activities. If not regularly removed, plaque can harden into tartar, a rough deposit that creates an ideal environment for bacteria. Bacteria can then infiltrate the gums, leading to periodontal disease.
Professional cleanings are crucial because typical brushing cannot remove hardened tartar, which is essential for maintaining gum health.
Early Diagnosis
Regular dental visits allow for early detection of gum disease, enabling you to address it before it progresses.
The initial stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis, involves gum irritation and inflammation. Gums may appear bright red and often bleed during brushing.
If you’re diagnosed with gingivitis, your dentist can recommend ways to eliminate the bacteria, such as using a medicated mouthwash or toothpaste. They will also guide you on effective brushing techniques to improve daily cleaning and reduce bacteria buildup.
Scaling & Root Planing
A critical step in reversing periodontal disease involves procedures called scaling and root planing.
Performed by a dentist, these treatments focus on removing plaque and tartar buildup below the gum line, where bacteria thrive and can multiply rapidly in infected gum pockets. To ensure comfort, these procedures are done under local anesthesia, as they involve deep cleaning of areas that regular brushing can’t reach.
Scaling and root planing are essential to stop the infection from advancing further, preserving the health of your teeth and gums before significant damage occurs.
Laser Periodontal Therapy
When gum recession and persistent infection are present, a dentist may suggest laser periodontal therapy.
This innovative treatment provides a thorough cleaning of the roots and areas beneath the gums. A laser pulses over the infected site, targeting and eliminating harmful bacteria.
Afterward, the gums can start to heal and regenerate, which has made this option increasingly popular due to its quick procedure and rapid results. The laser also allows the dentist to focus on specific problem areas, making it a highly efficient treatment for reversing gum disease.
Traditional Surgery
As a final, most invasive measure to address severe gum disease, traditional periodontal surgery may be necessary. This surgery involves carefully cutting and retracting the gums to expose the teeth and thoroughly remove all bacteria and damaged tissue.
Once cleaned, the dentist will suture the gums back in place, ensuring that any pockets formed from periodontal disease are sealed off.
This option is reserved as a last resort due to its invasive nature and challenging recovery period. In severe cases, bone or gum grafts might be required if the damage is extensive. When gum disease reaches this stage, the risk of tooth loss, bone damage, or bacterial spread to other body areas becomes significant.
Conclusion
Periodontal disease is often painless, particularly in its early stages. Recognizing the warning signs early is essential to seek treatment before it progresses. Without treatment, gum disease can harm both your oral and general health.
If you notice swollen, tender, or bleeding gums, be sure to inform your dentist. They can help you eliminate the infection and restore your gums and teeth to good health.
Call (559) 295-8977 to book your appointment with the experts at Shabazyan DDS in Fresno, CA, and get useful tips on how to reverse your gum disease today.
FAQs
What are the first steps to reverse gum disease?
Begin with brushing and flossing daily, using an antimicrobial mouthwash. You should also schedule a professional dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar.
How does diet affect reversing gum disease?
A balanced diet rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C, helps strengthen gums and support the body’s natural ability to heal gum tissues.
