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Will Reversing Gum Disease Ever Be Possible? |
Posted on 6/7/2021 by Todd Jorgenson |
 Reversing gum disease can be done as long as it happens during the early stages. Otherwise, in the advanced stage, we can only provide therapy that slows it down.
What the Statistics Reveal
About half of the adult population in the U.S. suffer from periodontal disease. Somehow, it seems that people focus more on their teeth than they do on their gum health. However, taking care of the gums is vitally important, as they serve as anchors for the teeth. If you catch gum disease early, you can reverse the symptoms and enjoy better overall oral health.
Types of Gum Disease
While gingivitis represents the early form of gum disease, periodontitis represents the gingival infection's advanced form. We can reverse gingivitis with a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing (SRP). Removing hardened plaque, called tartar, can prevent further gum inflammation and the growth of harmful bacteria.
As a patient, you also need to fully commit yourself to brush at least twice a day and flossing once daily. When you have gingivitis, the gums are swollen, red, and tender to the touch. Your gums will also bleed when you brush or floss, and you usually will have bad breath. If gingivitis is not treated and reversed, it turns into an advanced gum disease called periodontitis.
Periodontitis
If plaque and tartar are not removed from the teeth, gingivitis advances to periodontitis. This form of gum disease starts damaging and destroying both the teeth and gums and recession becomes a problem. Besides swelling, bleeding, redness, and tenderness of the gum tissue, periodontitis patients also experience pus coming from the gums and painful chewing.
Periodontitis can be defined as chronic, aggressive, or necrotizing periodontal disease. Most people who have the advanced form of the disease have the chronic type, which we can repair. Aggressive periodontitis affects people under 30 and develops at a rapid rate. Necrotizing periodontal disease is marked by a severe infection where the gum tissue dies—the periodontal condition results from a compromised immune system.
Again, we can reverse gingivitis if you are in the early stages of gum disease. If you believe you have this condition, give us a call today to schedule a comprehensive periodontal evaluation.
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