When your dentist tells you to brush and floss regularly, it is meant for your overall oral health. The bad bacteria in your mouth are not just detrimental to your teeth but to your gums as well. If you’re not careful, gum disease develops and becomes worse over time. Soon, an advanced stage of periodontal disease occurs, which may cause complications such as tooth loss. But is gum disease curable? You will need to visit a periodontist right away to determine which stage your disease is at. Learn more by reading this blog!
The good news is that gum disease can often be controlled with the right treatment, especially when it is diagnosed early. Treatment can range from professional dental cleanings, scaling and root planing, medication and/or periodontal surgery. If you know what stage a gum disease is in and what treatment is available, you will be able to determine if a non-surgical or surgical procedure may be necessary to preserve your gums, teeth and supporting bone.
How Is Gum Disease Diagnosed?
Gum disease is diagnosed by a dentist or periodontist by visually inspecting your gums and measuring the gaps between your gums and teeth. Using a periodontal probe, the depth of pockets, bleeding and recession of the gums are checked. Your dentist might also assess if teeth are loose or moving and may take dental X-rays to see if there is any bone loss. Tobacco use or diabetes, among other risk factors, may also be taken into account when deciding on treatment.
Is Gum Disease Curable?
No, but it can be controlled. Can you cure gum disease forever? Not like you would treat an infection with antibiotics. Gum disease is a chronic disease, and the bacteria and inflammation it causes can be controlled and prevented from worsening, however the damage that has already been done, such as bone loss or gum recession, cannot be reversed. The sooner it’s detected, the more healthy gum and bone tissue you’ll have to keep.
While gum disease is not essentially curable, it is possible to treat it and eliminate the consequences. In short, you cannot cure periodontal disease; you can receive treatment to steer clear of further damage. Depending on your condition, home treatments or surgical procedures are used to treat the disease.
You should contact a periodontist as soon as you notice gum disease symptoms. Regardless of the level, you’ll need medical attention to stop the disease in its tracks. Treating periodontal disease as soon as possible because it prevents irreversible damage. The more you wait, the worse your condition will become!
Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease
Catching gum disease early usually comes down to noticing a few warning signs:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath that doesn’t go away with brushing
- Gums that appear to be pulling away from your teeth
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Pus between your teeth and gums
What Causes Gum Disease?
When plaque and tartar accumulate on your teeth and gum line, it gives birth to periodontal disease. Your gums start looking red and swollen, along with bleeding, while you brush or floss. Gum disease may be reversible if diagnosed at an early stage, but an advanced level brings forth additional complications. Your periodontist will examine your gums and decide which treatment to proceed with.
Treatment Options for Gum Disease
Non-Surgical Treatments
If you have early-stage gum disease, called gingivitis, the following nonsurgical treatments might be effective:
- Dental Prophylaxis: Routine dental cleaning that gets rid of the buildup on your teeth and gums, including tartar, plaque, and bacteria.
- Scaling & Root Planing: A process to remove plaque as well as tartar lingering on the gum line and teeth through deep dental cleaning.
- Antibiotic Therapy: Placing antibiotic medications in the periodontal pockets helps fight the infection through a procedure called antibiotic therapy. It can be used as a standalone and combined with other treatments to eliminate the effects of periodontal disease.
- Laser Periodontal Therapy: A tiny laser that targets the diseased tissue is used in laser periodontal therapy to kill the bacteria present underneath the gums.
Surgical Procedures
Non-surgical treatments might be ineffective when the periodontal disease reaches a moderate or advanced stage. In that case, the following surgical treatments for gum disease might work:
- Flap Surgery: The periodontist pulls the gum tissue away from teeth for a short while, removing tartar build-up and thoroughly cleaning the root surfaces. Once they’ve cleaned it, they’ll stitch the gums back in position.
- Bone Grafting: You may experience bone loss in teeth as a result of advanced gum disease, which will require bone grafting.
- Gum Grafting: Gums affected by recession are often treated with the help of gum graft surgery.
Gum Disease Treatment Costs and Insurance
Treatment cost depends heavily on how advanced your gum disease is and which procedure your periodontist recommends.
Many dental insurance plans cover 50% to 80% of periodontal treatment since it’s considered medically necessary, unlike purely cosmetic procedures. It’s worth confirming your specific coverage before your appointment.
Non-Surgical vs. Surgical Treatment
Many patients ask, Can periodontitis be cured? While it cannot usually be completely cured, it can be effectively treated and controlled to prevent further damage. Non-surgical treatment is usually the first approach for gingivitis and many cases of early periodontitis, while surgical treatment may be considered when periodontal pockets remain deep, significant tissue or bone damage is present, or nonsurgical treatment has not controlled the disease.
The right gum disease treatment depends on how far the condition has progressed and how your gums and supporting bone have responded to initial treatment.
It is possible to treat gum disease in the early stages. However, if it reaches an advanced stage, periodontal treatment is necessary to stop the damage and reverse the effect of gum disease. Your periodontist can determine which treatment is most suitable for you.
How to Maintain Healthy Gums After Treatment
Once your gums are healthy again, keeping them that way comes down to a few consistent habits:
- Brush twice daily and floss once a day to keep plaque from building back up
- Keep up with regular cleanings, which may need to be more frequent than every six months if you’ve had periodontal disease
- Avoid smoking, which significantly raises the risk of gum disease returning
- Manage conditions like diabetes, which can make gum disease harder to control
Schedule a Gum Health Consultation
At Smile 4 Ever Family Dentistry, we offer procedures that are effective and improve your oral health. You can talk to our team now at (281) 213-5668 or give us a visit at 14715 TC Jester Blvd, Houston, Texas 77068.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can gum disease be cured?
No. It can be treated and controlled, but the damage already caused, such as bone loss, doesn’t reverse on its own.
What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums, but not the bone. Periodontitis is more severe and can cause the loss of bone and tissue.
Can gum disease be treated without surgery?
Absolutely, professional cleaning, scaling and root planing, along with better oral hygiene can help treat gum disease and many periodontitis cases. In severe cases, surgery is necessary.
Can you cure periodontal disease?
No, periodontal disease is a chronic disease. Treatment will not cure it, but will prevent it from worsening and help to regain some gum health.
Can you heal gum disease?
The initial stage of gingivitis is completely treatable with proper oral care and a professional cleaning. When it becomes periodontitis, the treatment is aimed at managing the disease and not at curing it.
How long does gum disease treatment take to work?
Usually, non-surgical treatments improve in a few weeks. Surgical treatments usually require a few weeks to a few months to heal completely.