Gum disease happens when your gums become inflamed and red due to bacteria in your mouth. They may bleed and be infected—this is usually when your teeth may also become loose. Gum disease threatens the health of your teeth and the earlier you can get treatment, the better. Can gum disease be reversed once it’s started?
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease. Gingivitis involves inflammation of the gums, but it might not be too severe. It could involve some redness, tenderness, or bleeding. Generally, the symptoms are minor so you may not even notice anything unusual, especially if you aren’t keeping up with your oral health. Gingivitis happens when plaque builds up on the teeth due to lack of oral care.
Gingivitis can be reversed with proper brushing and flossing, although it would help to get a good cleaning from your dentist to ensure plaque is gone. Your dentist can also advise you on proper brushing and flossing techniques to help reverse your gingivitis.
Mild to Moderate Periodontal Disease
If steps are not taken to reverse gingivitis, it can progress to periodontal disease, which is another name for gum disease. At first, you’ll likely have a mild to moderate case of periodontal disease. What this means is that your symptoms worsen: the redness, swelling, and bleeding. You may also notice you have chronic bad breath. The once mild infection begins to worsen and spread, further affecting your gums and consequently, your teeth.
At this point, you will most certainly need to visit your dentist for a deep cleaning. Your dentist will likely need to scrape the plaque off (called scaling), clean underneath your gums, and even your roots out (planing). Your dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth and their surfaces, your roots, and your gums. This will remove any bacteria and help to reverse your periodontal disease.
Advanced Periodontal Disease
It’s vital to remember that although your dentist can clean your teeth and remove the infection-causing bacteria, you will ultimately be the one responsible for the health of your teeth and gums. You may need to change your diet, clean your teeth more often, or increase your intake of calcium and vitamin D in addition to other nutrients. If you don’t do your part in helping to reverse your gum disease, it can return and even move to advanced periodontal disease.
The bacteria in advanced periodontal disease continue to attack your gums and teeth, leading to more damage. Bone loss as well as tooth loss can occur. You may have “oozing” gums from the infection. You will likely develop tooth sensitivity, which could be extreme, and even painful chewing in addition to all the other symptoms you already have. In addition, the harmful bacteria also enter your blood, which could result in a variety of other dangerous health problems. In order to try and reverse this, you will need surgery to clean the bacteria and careful treatment from your dentist.
Gum disease can be reversed, but it’s vital that you seek treatment as soon as possible. The earlier your gum disease is addressed, the more successful your treatment will be. If you’re experiencing red, swollen, or bleeding gums, schedule a visit with your dentist!
