How can gum disease be cured

Besides implementing healthy lifestyle habits like cutting down on sugar and activating a thorough daily oral hygiene routine, your dentist will recommend keeping a close eye on your periodontal health with more frequent checkups and oral care appointments.

When dealing with periodontal disease, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

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Learn more about our commitment to oral health education. Successful Treatments For Periodontal Disease. Top Articles. Gingivitis to Periodontitis A significant indicator of gum disease is inflammation, which is the body's way of shielding, guarding, and protecting itself from infection. Early Prevention and Reversal of Gingivitis You're probably wondering, "is periodontal disease reversible?

Common Gingivitis Risks Gum disease is your body's response to harmful bacteria that cling to your teeth in the form of plaque. Early Signs of Gingivitis While we noted swollen, bleeding gums as the first sign of gingivitis, there are a few additional signs. Here are the reversible signs and symptoms of gingivitis that you'll want to look for: Red or swollen gums healthy gums are pink and firm Bleeding gums when you brush your teeth or floss Bad breath Heavy tartar buildup Sensitive teeth Types of Gum Disease There are different forms of periodontal disease, but the following are the most common: Chronic gingivitis.

A reversible, milder form of periodontal disease, marked by inflammation, redness, and bleeding gums. There is no bone loss with gingivitis, and as noted, it is easily preventable! Aggressive periodontitis. First, the dentist will ask for your medical history to learn if there are certain conditions or factors that could be putting you more at risk for gum disease. Next, your dental team will examine your mouth to look for the obvious signs, like we mentioned above.

Red, bleeding gums are often an indicator that a patient has gum disease. The dentist will also look for things it can be hard for people to see on their own, like excessive plaque and tartar buildup. During the exam, your dentist will measure the pocket depth using a dental problem to check for deep pockets, which can also signal gum disease.

Mayo Clinic explains these treatments as:. They do mention, however, that sometimes surgical treatments are the best course of action for advanced cases. Those can include:. The earliest stage of gum disease, also known as gingivitis, is the most easy to reverse.

Your dentist can help catch early signs of gingivitis at your regular cleanings and checkups. There are a few different methods that your dentist can employ, such as:. Scaling involves removing bacteria from underneath the gumline. Root planing entails smoothing the rough surfaces of the tooth roots to make it more difficult for bacteria to stick to them.

If so, your dentist can perform a DNA test using a sample of your saliva. This test will determine whether you are genetically predisposed to having gum disease. It also lets your dental team know what specific strains of bacteria must be addressed. So, can gum disease be cured? However, when it comes to dental problems, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. Homecare is probably the single most important thing you can do to help cure your gum disease.

The second most important aspect is to get your teeth cleaned professionally. The gum disease must be diagnosed correctly, as there are many different types, and a plan of action must be created. Once the pocket depths have improved and you are able to maintain this at home, we would put you on a recall interval which will depend upon your risk factor.

As mentioned above, homecare is essential. You will need to use small brushes interproximal brushes to clean in between your teeth daily, along with adopting good tooth brushing habits. Smoking — this is such an important risk factor. If it applies to you, you must consider giving up altogether or at least cut down. The more you smoke, the worse it is for your gums and it will impact how successful the gum treatment will be. Diabetes — your blood sugar levels need to be controlled well.

If they are not, you will be at a higher risk of problems associated with your gums. The trick is to maintain a good level of hygiene on a daily basis. Refrain from smoking and ensure you see a good hygienist on a regular basis ideally at least every six months.

Normally a team approach, led by a periodontist specialist gum doctor is the best. A periodontist has been specially trained to treat patients who suffer from gum disease. The treatment will be prescribed and dictated by the specialist and they should work closely with a team of hygienists.

This is the best method. Our specialist is Dr Mishal Sachdev. Want to talk to Dr Mish and the team about signs of gum disease? Call , email team gentledentalcaregroup. If you need help click here. Skip to content. Facebook page opens in new window Linkedin page opens in new window Instagram page opens in new window YouTube page opens in new window.

What is gum disease and how do I get rid of it? What causes gum disease? Gum disease is caused by plaque, which is basically bacteria. As times goes on, the bacteria build up further and mature into more complex organisms, forming more advanced structures. It kicks off the inflammation reaction to recruit molecules to fight off the bacteria. This results in the body rushing lots of blood to the gums to fight off the infection, causing gums to become puffy, red and swollen.

This pocket is dead space that allows bacteria to move underneath the gum and occupy the space there. The fibres that help support the teeth, the gums, and the bone that holds the teeth, all slowly begin to get destroyed. The more bone that is lost, the looser the tooth becomes. You end up losing the tooth. How common is gum disease? Signs of gum disease Here are some of the most common signs of gum disease.