Can Gum Disease be Reversed?

One of the worst dental health conditions is gum disease. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, ultimately leads to the loss of permanent teeth. If you suspect that you have gum disease in North Little Rock, AR, contact your dentist as soon as possible for treatment.

What is Gum Disease?

As its name suggests, gum disease is an infection of the gums. It has several stages, beginning with the first stage, called gingivitis. The symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen gums that bleed easily. You may especially notice this when brushing or flossing. In this early stage of gum disease, the condition can be reversed with treatment from your dentist.

Advanced Gum Disease

If left untreated, gingivitis progresses to periodontitis. In this stage, the gums regress from the teeth and form pockets around the tooth. These pockets make the teeth and gums subject to bacterial infection. Even with routine brushing and flossing, the fact that these pockets exist makes the tooth vulnerable. Eventually, bone loss occurs, and permanent teeth fall out.

Treatment For Gum Disease

Treatment for gum disease includes a multi-pronged approach. At home, you can help reverse the problem by carefully following your dentist’s instructions, which may include the use of prescription-strength mouth rinses and/or antibiotics, in addition to lifestyle changes.

But the most important treatment for gum disease is at your dentist’s office. Your dentist will perform one or more deep cleanings. With advanced gum disease, you may also need gum flap surgery or bone grafting. No guarantees are possible that your permanent teeth will be saved, but your dentist will do everything possible to save your adult teeth.

The sooner you get treatment for gum disease, the better the outcome. Contact your dentist in North Little Rock, AR, today to book your dental exam.