Can You Reverse Gum Disease?

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, can affect not only your oral health but your general well-being too. If left untreated, it can degenerate and affect your entire oral health. 

Caring for your gums and monitoring their health is just as important as caring for your teeth. But, what can be done if gum disease is already showing its signs? 

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease can be caused by multiple factors. The most common cause is poor oral hygiene. If plaque is not removed regularly and efficiently from your teeth, it hardens and becomes tartar. The presence of tartar irritates the gums and can easily lead to infections in the gum tissue, receding gums, and, eventually, tooth and jaw bone loss.

Other causes for periodontal disease are smoking, which increases the risk of infections in the mouth, and chronic diseases like diabetes. 

The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. If it progresses, it becomes periodontitis and it’s possibly irreversible at this stage.

Can Periodontal Disease Be Reversed?

If you are showing signs of gum irritation or infection, it’s very important to be seen by a dentist as soon as possible. If detected early on, gum problems can be reversed with as little as a deep cleaning and a tighter oral hygiene schedule. 

However, more complex interventions might be needed if your gum disease has progressed to advanced stages of gingivitis. Once you are suffering from periodontitis, the dentist must create a complex treatment plan to repair the damage and consider restorative interventions for your gums and teeth. In some cases, your jaw bone will also need a graft. 

When Is It Too Late to Reverse Gum Disease?

Gum problems start with gingivitis when the bacteria in your mouth gets to feed on plaque and tartar on your teeth and multiply excessively. At this stage, gum disease can be reversed through simple interventions, mostly by improving your hygiene. 

Once gingivitis turns into periodontal disease, the process becomes impossible to reverse. At this stage, your dentist will manage the infections and treat them in any way possible. If you have an advanced stage of periodontitis, you might need surgery, laser therapy, gum or bone grafts, etc. 

If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to big problems, including tooth loss, generalized infections, even sepsis and heart problems. 

Solutions For Advanced Gum Disease

If you are showing signs of gum tissue infections or other dental health problems, book an appointment with an experienced team of dental experts. We at Redmond Art of Dentistry focus on the comfort and trust of our patients while treating their dental problems with state-of-the-art equipment and our extensive knowledge and experience. 

Contact us to book an appointment and give your body a chance to reverse gum disease, or stop its advancement and restore the health of your mouth.