Reversing Gum Disease and Achieving Stability
As the prevalence of gum disease increases with age, reversing gum disease early is important for long-term health. Gum disease, or Periodontal disease, is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gums and bones that support teeth.
This article will outline the stages of gum disease, how to reverse gum disease, and what you can expect throughout the process.
Common signs of gum disease are red swollen gums that bleed, receding gums, and tooth and gum sensitivity.
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Can You Reverse Gum Disease?
Can you reverse gum disease? Well, the key to reversing gum disease is catching it early enough. The earlier you learn you have gum disease, the greater the chances are that you can reverse it or keep it stable.
There are 4 stages of gum disease, which you can read more about by checking out our article The 4 Gum Disease Stages. As the stages progress, the answer to the question ‘can you reverse gum disease?’ becomes more and more bleak.
Knowing the stages is important so you can recognize gum disease as soon as possible. Here are the 4 stages of gum disease:
- Gingivitis: This is the least severe of the gum disease stages. At this point, reversing gum disease is 100% possible. The gums will start to appear darker and bleed when touched. There may be some sensitivity when brushing and flossing that goes away quickly.
- Slight Gum Disease: If the gingivitis is left untreated, the infection will spread and reach the bone that supports the teeth. The bacteria become more aggressive and can cause more bleeding and gum sensitivity. This stage is still manageable with the start of bone loss.
- Moderate Gum Disease: The destructive bacteria in the mouth will progress and continue to promote bone loss. The harm to the bone is irreversible and the gum disease becomes chronic. Because the gums and supporting bone are compromised, tooth sensitivity is common.
- Advanced Gum Disease: This is the most severe of the gum disease stages. The percentage of bone loss is over half lost and teeth become mobile and sensitive. Halitosis, or chronic bad breath, will be present and difficult to manage.
Reversing Gum Disease
Reversing gum disease is extremely important since it’s linked to several systemic diseases including:
- heart disease
- diabetes
- kidney disease
- cancer
- Alzheimer’s
Reversing gum disease is only possible during the first stage. After that, the aggressive bacteria will permanently damage the bone. Fortunately, gum disease is manageable and able to reach stability with the help of your dental professionals.
For more information on how gum disease correlates with systemic diseases, check out Dental Health and Diabetes.
How to Reverse Gum Disease
After diagnosis, your dental team will schedule an appointment called Scaling and Root Planing. This appointment is a very important part in how to reverse gum disease.
It provides a deep cleaning that will remove the plaque, calculus (hardened plaque), and bacteria above and below the gumline. It’s common to need a deep cleaning every three years to keep this bad bacteria in check.
Here is how to reverse gum disease through a scaling and root planning appointment:
- The dentist or dental hygienist will numb the teeth and gums to ensure the patient is comfortable.
- The dental clinician will use a combination of metal and ultrasonic instruments to complete the cleaning. They might not polish or floss at this time.
- Depending on the severity of the disease, the deep cleaning may be broken up into 1 to 4 appointments that are usually 1-2 hours long.
When treating and reversing gum disease, your dental team may recommend using additional tools during the Scaling and Root Planing appointment and maintenance cleanings. Here is how to reverse gum disease with additional tools:
- Antibiotics: Your dental clinician may place a slow-released antibiotic that stays in the infected gum pocket to help fight bacteria in the gum tissue and promote healing.
- Laser Therapy: The precise laser will help draw out bacteria from your gums and control bleeding levels. This will also promote healing.
Managing and Reversing Gum Disease
Most of the gum disease stages are chronic and cannot be cured. This is due to evolved bacteria in the mouth that destroys the supporting bone to the teeth. Stage 1 of gum disease is 100% reversible and the other stages can be managed with the help of your dental professionals.
Can you reverse gum disease? Yes, but only by following these important steps:
- Dental Cleanings: Gum disease requires more dental cleanings because of the evolved bacteria. These cleanings are called periodontal maintenance and should be done every 3-4 months.
- Scaling and Root Planing: This is a deep cleaning that will remove the plaque, calculus (hardened plaque), and bacteria above and below the gum line that cannot be reached at home.
- Oral Hygiene Routine: Home care is extremely important in managing the gum disease stages. The increased effort includes daily brushing, flossing, and using other tools to clean the deep pockets.
For more information on treating gum disease with the help of your dental professionals check out Your Guide to Treating Gum Disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to reverse gum disease?
If treated early, reversing gum disease is absolutely achievable. Depending on the severity, deep cleaning will be needed to clean the pockets and stabilize the bacteria. Good oral hygiene practices are very important in maintaining stability.
Can you reverse periodontal disease at home?
Gingivitis may be reversed at home if it’s at the beginning. Bacteria and plaque can be attached to the tooth and deep in the pockets that a toothbrush and floss cannot clean. Reversing gum disease is more attainable after a professional dental cleaning.
Take Home Smile
Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. All products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
