Gingivitis is typically reversible within two weeks, as long as you treat it properly.
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.
Unfortunately, because gum disease is caused by bacteria that is forming in your mouth daily, there is not a complete cure for the disease, only management with a combination of periodontal therapy and proper oral home care.
There is no cure for periodontal disease, but it can be controlled as long as you keep up the home care you have been taught. Any further loss of bone will be very slow and it may stop altogether. However, you must make sure you remove plaque every day, and go for regular check-ups by the dental team.
However, if you receive gum disease treatment early, you can preserve your natural teeth and prevent the need to search for replacement options. Periodontal and systemic diseases are associated, and research is ongoing to establish the reasons for the association.
If not treated, these deep infections cause a loss of tissue and bone. Eventually you may lose one or more teeth.
Gum disease treatment may be nonsurgical or surgical, depending on the stage of disease and your oral and overall health. Nonsurgical treatments include scaling and root planing and antibiotics. Surgical options include pocket reduction surgery and guided tissue regeneration.
The fastest way to get rid of gingivitis is to see a dentist for a cleaning and improve your oral hygiene habits at home between visits.
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.
Gum disease isn't curable, but it's manageable with appropriate treatment. 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.
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.
The key thing to reversing gum disease is removing the tartar that's present on both the root of your teeth and under your gum line. Periodontitis can't be reversed, only slowed down, while gingivitis can be reversed.
Salt water can help to remove the plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. Salt has healing properties that can treat and heal inflamed or swollen gums caused by gum disease. Even though salt water is extremely effective in helping to treat gum disease, salt water cannot cure gum disease.
According to the ADA, bleeding gums caused by gingivitis are completely reversible. Brushing twice daily and using an antiseptic mouthwash like LISTERINE ULTRACLEAN®, are important steps to help stop bleeding gums and reverse gingivitis.
Saltwater rinses are an excellent at-home treatment for inflamed or receding gums. Simply dissolve one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and rinse your mouth for 30 seconds. Rinse with salt water two to three times each day.
If you have gingivitis, which is the earliest form of gum disease, you'll likely notice inflamed, red, swollen, and bleeding gums. In this stage, the infection is still reversible. In contrast, periodontitis is a far more severe condition characterized by deep pockets that form in between teeth.
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. Smoking can put you at risk for gum problems.
Periodontitis can cause complications in other parts of the body as well. Research indicates there is a link between gum disease and heart disease and stroke.
You might see pus around your tooth, and you'll notice your gums pulling away from contact with the tooth. Your gums might swell, and that swelling could extend to your face and neck, too. At this point, your tooth will likely have to be removed.
Advanced periodontitis is the fifth and final stage of gum disease, and it is likely that you will lose teeth or at least loosen teeth during this phase without immediate dental intervention. The infection impacts the jawbone, so teeth may be lost regardless.
The truth is that it's never too late to see a dentist and here are 7 reasons why you should make that appointment today. A healthy mouth supports overall health. Oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with gum disease can play a role in a person developing endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, and pneumonia.
If plaque is not regularly brushed, flossed, and rinsed away, it will harden into tartar, which will further irritate gums. As the gums become more and more inflamed, they recede and pull away from the teeth. This creates pockets that harbor bacteria and cause infection.