Yes. Regardless of the stage of infection, you can stop the progression of gum disease. The initial phase is the easiest to manage as it only requires maintaining proper oral care and dental checkups. Further stages will require specialized treatment such as scaling and root planing.
Periodontitis isn't curable, but it's manageable with proper care and treatment. Talk to your dentist or periodontist about a personalized treatment and maintenance plan.
Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue around teeth. Without treatment, periodontitis can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. This can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss. Periodontitis is common but can usually be prevented.
But the condition may get even worse if left untreated. They may experience receding gums, loosening teeth, or tooth loss when it progresses into severe periodontal disease. If you wonder if you can live with this disease, the answer is yes.
Although it's preventable, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates at least 50% of Americans have the infection. It's also the leading cause of tooth loss. Don't worry, if you act quickly, gum disease can be cured without leaving a lasting mark on your smile.
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.
Periodontal disease damages the bone, which is not reversible. Once it starts, you will always have it. All levels of periodontitis require treatment by a dentist. A mild case can typically be managed by a general dentist using non-surgical treatments.
The prevalence of periodontal (gum) disease continues to be an important public health problem in the United States as 2 in 5 adults are affected by some form of this disease.
Almost half, 47.2%, of all adults aged 30 years and older have some form of gum disease. Gum disease increases with age. 70.1% of adults 65 years and older have periodontal disease.
The progression of periodontal disease is slow but steady. It only takes four days for plaque to reach its maximum extent, so you'll be able to physically see signs of gingivitis on day 5. Advanced stages of this disease can be seen in as little as a few weeks if you have not tried to reverse the gingivitis.
Incidents of periodontal disease (gum disease) do increase with age, but gum disease can start at any time. Most people do not begin to show signs, however, until they are in their 30s or 40s.
It is a therapy that is sometimes only needed once in a lifetime or every few years depending on your initial level of infection and various risk factors. The periodontal maintenance cleaning is part of the soft tissue management program prescribed 3-4 times a year after scaling & root planing is completed.
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.
In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or even fall out. Periodontal disease is mostly seen in adults. Periodontal disease and tooth decay are the two biggest threats to dental health.
Stage 2: Mild Periodontitis
Once you reach this second stage of gum disease, it is no longer reversible. However, it can be managed. At this stage, the infection of the gums has spread to the bone. The bacteria have evolved and become more aggressive, causing additional bone loss.
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.
It's important to see a dentist right away if you ever suspect something is wrong with your gums. Both gingivitis and periodontitis can happen faster than you think. If you ever feel like your gums are tender, look red or swollen, or you're noticing pink on your floss or toothbrush, give us a call as soon as you can.
FACT: With good oral hygiene and regular professional care, your teeth are meant to last a lifetime. However, if left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss. It is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults 35 and over. MYTH: People who have gum disease don't brush their teeth.
While periodontitis is more common in older adults, even younger people can have it. You don't have to panic if your gums bleed, but it's something to feel concerned about. In case you do notice signs of periodontal disease, it's best to get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible.
The onset of periodontal disease can often begin long before a person reaches retirement age. In the earlier stages, many patients in their 20s may not experience symptoms, which can lead to putting off treatment for gum disease, as well as complications in other areas, such as pregnancy.
Unfortunately, young adults (18 to 30 years old) are absolutely at risk of developing gum disease. During your early adult years, if you don't commit to a strong oral hygiene routine, you could be causing irreversible damage to your gums and underlying jawbone!
Your first step in periodontal disease treatment is a conservative, non-surgical approach called scaling and root planing (SRP). A dentist or dental hygienist provides this treatment by scraping and removing the plaque and tartar from your teeth and root surfaces with instruments designed for this purpose.
The Prevalence of Gum Disease
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently did a study to regarding those who suffer from gum disease. The study confirmed that almost 50 percent of adults in the U.S., who are over the age of 30, have the advanced form of periodontal disease, or gum disease.
Mild periodontitis.
This stage of gum disease shows evidence of periodontal pockets. This is when gums pull away from the teeth, causing the crevice between the teeth and gums to deepen. It also causes early loss of bone around the teeth. Prompt dental care is needed to prevent further erosion of bone and gum damage.