Can You Reverse Gum Disease? (2024)

August 26, 2021

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If you have gum disease in Baltimore, you may be wondering if you can completely eliminate it. Is it possible to restore your oral health and completely reverse gum disease?

The answer is “yes,” but there’s a catch. Only the first stage of gum disease, known as “gingivitis” can be reversed. After it progresses into the second stage (periodontitis), it’s no longer possible to completely eliminate it. Read on, and get more details from the team at Waterfront Dental.

Gingivitis, The First Stage Of Gum Disease, Is Reversible

If you have gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, your condition can be reversed and eliminated. This is because, by definition, gingivitis does not cause any permanent damage to your teeth and gums.

It’s the first and most common stage of gum disease. And though it causes inflammation and can lead to advanced gum disease, it’s not that harmful on its own, because the roots of your teeth, your gums, and the other structures on your mouth won’t be damaged.

Common signs of gingivitis include puffy and tender gums, dark, red, or discolored gums, bleeding when brushing, and halitosis (bad breath).

If you do have gingivitis, it’s important to get care for your condition right away. If your condition continues to progress, it will not be reversible. You will need a deep cleaning (scaling & root planing) from Dr. Merguerian. Antibiotics may also be recommended.

Along with good at-home oral hygiene and lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and eating a healthier diet, this is usually enough to reverse and eliminate gingivitis entirely. Don’t wait. Get the help you need right away.

Advanced Gum Disease (Periodontitis) Can’t Be Reversed

Once gum disease progresses past gingivitis, the infection is permanent. Irreversible damage will be done to your teeth and gums, and it will never be possible to completely eliminate the infection. In this stage of gum disease, your gums and teeth will be damaged to some extent.

However, that doesn’t mean you have to give up! While periodontitis cannot be completely eliminated, it’s entirely possible to control it with regular periodontal care. With treatment from Dr. Dawn Merguerian, you can halt the spread of the infection, prevent further damage to your mouth, and restore your damaged teeth and gums to keep your teeth and gums in good shape.

Periodontitis tends to have more severe symptoms than gingivitis. Along with the above symptoms of gingivitis, you may notice severe tenderness when chewing, a change in your bite, gum recession that makes your teeth look longer, and a bad taste in your mouth or pus between your teeth and gums.

Treatment usually includes deep cleanings, antibiotics, and oral surgeries to restore your gums and teeth, along with good at-home oral hygiene. You also will need periodontal maintenance cleanings every 3 months for the rest of your life.

Early Intervention Is Key – Don’t Wait To Get The Help You Need

While it’s possible to reverse gum disease, you can only do so if you catch it early before it progresses past gingivitis to periodontitis. So don’t wait. If you think you may have gingivitis in Baltimore, the team at Waterfront Dental is here to help. Contact us online or call at (410) 505-0551 to schedule an appointment right away.

Can You Reverse Gum Disease? (2024)

FAQs

Can You Reverse Gum Disease? ›

Advanced Gum Disease Is Irreversible, But Can Still Be Treated To Protect Your Health. So, what happens after gingivitis? The second and third stages of gum disease are usually called “periodontitis,” and “advanced periodontitis.” They are not reversible.

Can you fully recover from gum disease? ›

You can't cure it because once you lose structural support around your teeth, you don't usually get all of it back. However, periodontal treatment can reduce infection and rebuild your bone and tissue to some degree. Another factor is genetics. There are many different types of oral bacteria.

Is it possible to reverse gum disease? ›

Is it possible to restore your oral health and completely reverse gum disease? The answer is “yes,” but there's a catch. Only the first stage of gum disease, known as “gingivitis” can be reversed. After it progresses into the second stage (periodontitis), it's no longer possible to completely eliminate it.

When is it too late to reverse gum disease? ›

It's never too late to seek treatment for gum disease, and the degree of treatment you require will depend on how advanced it is.

Can gums regrow after gum disease? ›

The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.

How long until gum disease is irreversible? ›

How long until gum disease is irreversible? Gum disease becomes irreversible in the second and third stages.

Can you live a full life with gum disease? ›

You can live a long life with periodontal disease if you manage the condition with treatment and guidance from your dentist. As with any chronic condition, the earlier you seek therapy, the better your chances are of curing gum disease and improving your quality of life.

Can I fix gum disease myself? ›

You will need to use small brushes (interproximal brushes) to clean in between your teeth daily, along with adopting good tooth brushing habits. Unfortunately, once you have gum disease, it's impossible to clean all the areas that are infected and you will need to go to a professional such as a hygienist or dentist.

What stages of gum disease are reversible? ›

Gingivitis: This is the only stage of the disease that is reversible as it hasn't attacked the bones yet. This is a result of plaque buildup around the teeth. Bleeding gums is one of the first symptoms you may experience.

Can 7mm gum pockets be reversed? ›

For deep pockets over 7mm, surgery may be needed. Pocket reduction surgery requires making small incisions in the gum to peel back the gum tissue. Deep cleaning is completed and any underlying bone loss is addressed. Finally, stitches are inserted.

Can I save my teeth with periodontal disease? ›

Yes, depending on the severity of the gum disease, teeth affected by periodontal disease may be saved. Scaling, root planing, and antibiotic therapy can help reduce inflammation and slow the progress of periodontal disease. Surgery may sometimes be required to repair and restore the lost tissue and bone.

Can you stop gum disease from progressing? ›

Can Periodontal Disease Be Stopped From Progressing? Nearly 50% of Americans have experienced a form of gum disease at least once in their lives. Periodontal disease is progressive and can be curbed with quick enough dental intervention.

Can gum disease go into remission? ›

Moderate to severe cases require management by a periodontist and typically require surgery to save as many teeth as possible. Your periodontal disease will always need management, but can go into remission with appropriate treatment and the following practices: Brush at least twice a day, for two minutes.

How can I stimulate my gums to regenerate? ›

How Can You Rebuild Your Gums Naturally?
  1. Oil Pulling. Oil pulling is a popular age-long practice for removing plaques and other food particles from the mouth with natural oils. ...
  2. Salt Water. ...
  3. Eucalyptus Oil. ...
  4. Brushing Correctly. ...
  5. Peppermint Essential Oil. ...
  6. Green Tea. ...
  7. Flossing Regularly. ...
  8. Hydrogen Peroxide.

How to cure gum disease without a dentist? ›

Proper oral hygiene practices, such as brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, can go a long way in preventing and reversing gum disease. Additionally, using an antibacterial mouthwash can help kill bacteria that contribute to gum inflammation.

How long does it take for gums to heal from gum disease? ›

If you are dedicated to daily self care your can cure gingivitis can go away in as little as 2-3 weeks. Those with advanced gum disease may find that it takes several months to get the disease under control, and the symptoms to go away.

Can gum disease ever be cured? ›

Even if you have treatment for gum disease, there may be some consequences that arise as a result of the gum disease in the first place. The most common problem caused by gum disease is tooth loss. While your gum disease can be cured, any missing teeth will need to be replaced.

Can teeth be saved from gum disease? ›

Tooth loss is often an unfortunate outcome of periodontitis when left untreated. But today, with so many successful periodontitis treatment options available for advanced gum disease, losing teeth doesn't have to happen. This article will cover the signs, risk factors, and various options for gum disease treatment.

How long does gum disease take to clear? ›

Take To Heal? If you have the first stage of gum disease, gingivitis, you can usually expect to heal and recover within 14 days of getting a deep cleaning, assuming you take your prescribed antibiotics and maintain proper oral hygiene by brushing and flossing thoroughly.

What gum disease is not curable? ›

You can't cure periodontitis, but you can manage the condition with proper care and maintenance. This includes good oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings at intervals recommended by your dentist.

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