While LISTERINE® mouthwash products can help prevent early gum disease, they are not indicated to treat periodontitis.
Mouthwash can help reduce plaque and tartar buildup, but it cannot cure periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a serious condition that requires professional treatment.
Mouthwash Use, Along With Brushing & Flossing, Can Help Prevent Gum Disease. In clinical studies, it's been shown that antibacterial mouthwashes can reduce plaque biofilm, kill bacteria in hard-to-reach places below the gums, and eliminate bacteria on non-tooth oral surfaces including the cheeks, tongue, and more.
If you have periodontitis, your teeth start moving in the mouth, making tooth loss a reality. However, if you receive gum disease treatment early, you can preserve your natural teeth and prevent the need to search for replacement options.
Typically, you will need to get periodontal cleanings every 3 months for the rest of your life to keep your gum disease under control, and as long as you get routine cleanings and maintain good oral hygiene, your condition won't get worse. However, you will never be fully healed.
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.
Antibiotics. Topical or oral antibiotics can help control bacterial infection. Topical antibiotics can include antibiotic mouth rinses or putting gel containing an antibiotic into gum pockets. Sometimes oral antibiotics are needed to get of bacteria that cause infections.
Foods such as pickled vegetables, citrus fruits, black coffee, and tea can enhance inflammation, aggravate your condition, and slow down the effects of treatment.
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.
The plaque buildup that leads to gingivitis can be prevented with twice-daily brushing, daily flossing, and twice-daily rinsing with an effective antiseptic mouthwash like LISTERINE®.
It destroys the bacterial balance in your mouth, dries out the skin, causes imbalances in pH levels, worsens bad breath, may cause mouth ulcers and increase your risk for oral cancer, and it may contribute to the development of gingivitis.
For example, patients with conditions that affect the efficiency of the immune system, such as diabetes, HIV, Down syndrome, leukemia, etc., can make periodontal disease worse. Those who smoke, use tobacco products, are malnourished, and/or are highly stressed are also at an increased risk.
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.
Prevention and treatment
To help prevent or control periodontal diseases, it is important to: Brush and floss every day to remove the bacteria that cause gum disease. See a dentist at least once a year for checkups, or more frequently if you have any of the warning signs or risk factors mentioned above.
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.
The key to managing and living with periodontal disease is to ensure your teeth are kept clean and reduce gum irritation. Besides an increase in cleanings, there are also specialized cleaning methods used, depending on the extent of damage.
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.
In most cases, the damage will not be completely reversible, but if you follow the treatment and prevention plan laid out by your dentist, you should be able to see significant improvement. Most people are able to reclaim a 4mm to 5mm pocket depth with proper treatment and ongoing periodontal maintenance.
Saltwater rinses help with treating gum disease but are not capable of fixing the problem by themselves. You require help from a professional periodontist and maintain good oral hygiene habits if you intend to get over periodontal disease.
Water is always beneficial to your teeth and gums. Drinking water, along with brushing and flossing, is one of the most effective strategies to avoid cavities and gum disease. Simply by drinking water throughout the day, you may prevent plaque formation and protect your tooth enamel.
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.
Good Oral Hygiene Habits
One of the most important things you can do to avoid further gum recession is to brush and floss your teeth twice daily. If your gums have receded due to aggressive brushing, be mindful of the force you are applying while brushing and use a soft-bristled toothbrush.