How Do I Cure Gum Disease?

One of the most effective ways to cure gum disease is to catch the issue early, which is why it is important to schedule regular dental examinations at least every six months. During these appointments, your dentist or periodontist can perform a deep cleaning and evaluate your overall oral health. As part of this evaluation, they will measure the pockets of your gums. Healthy pockets should be approximately 3mm in depth or less. If pocket depth is 4mm or greater, this is an indication that you have gum disease.

Available Treatment Options for Gum Disease

Gum disease is a progressive condition, which is why it is important to diagnose and treat the issue as soon as possible.  During the early stage of gum disease (gingivitis), gums are often mildly irritated, red, or swollen and bleed easily when brushing or flossing. At this stage, gum disease can typically be cured with a deep cleaning in addition to making modifications to your oral health routine.

If gum disease is not treated during this early stage, plaque remaining on the teeth will mineralize and turn into calculus. Once gum disease progresses to this stage (periodontitis or advanced periodontitis), symptoms will increase in severity, and may result in significantly receded gums, loosened teeth, or teeth that fall out. If gum disease reaches this level, gum disease may be cured by performing a scaling and root planing procedure, which involves using special dental instruments that can remove plaque that has mineralized onto the surface of your teeth and below your gum line. Once the tartar is removed, the surfaces of the tooth are smoothed using a planing tool, which inhibits the ability of bacteria to accumulate in the future. While scaling and root planing can be a successful cure for gum disease, more severe cases may require advanced treatments, such as dental bone grafts, tooth extractions, and/or dental implants.

Prevention is the Best Cure

Although gum disease can be reversed, halted, and prevented, having a positive outcome will ultimately depend on the level of self-care you practice following treatment. Scheduling regular oral checkups at least every six months is one of the best steps you can take to cure gum disease. It is also important to determine the underlying cause, which may be a range of factors, including diet, oral hygiene habits, genetic predisposition, or due to certain medications.

Although identifying the underlying cause and scheduling regular appointments are important steps towards curing gum disease, the most important thing you can do to cure gum disease and prevent issues from developing is to practice good oral hygiene habits. This includes brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily, being mindful to avoid eating foods that are high in sugars or starch, and if necessary, make adjustments to your oral health routine to provide additional support against gum disease, such as using a soft bristle tooth brush or a fluoride toothpaste. By adhering to good oral self-care and scheduling regular examinations at least every six months, you will significantly improve your chances of curing and preventing gum disease from developing.

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