Are your gums sore, swollen, or bleeding when you brush? Do you worry about bad breath that just won’t go away? These can all be signs of gum disease, a common but serious condition that affects more than just your smile. The good news? If you catch it early enough, gum disease can be reversed. And even in later stages, it can still be treated and managed.
Let’s break it down so you know what to expect when you see our team at Imagine Dental for gum disease treatment in Phoenix and Ahwatukee, and steps you can take to protect your smile.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease usually starts when bacteria and plaque build up along your gum line. If it’s not cleaned away, this buildup causes your immune system to react, which can cause your gums to become red, swollen, and irritated. Over time, the immune reaction can start to damage your own cells and the infection can move deeper, damaging the bone and tissues that support your teeth.
There are two main stages of gum disease:
- Gingivitis: The early stage. Your gums may bleed when you brush or floss, but there’s no permanent damage yet.
- Periodontitis: The advanced stage. This is when your gums pull away from your teeth, forming deep pockets that trap more bacteria. Bone loss can happen here, and teeth may even become loose.
As serious as gum disease can be, there is good news: gum disease can be reversed or managed to minimize the damage.
Can Gum Disease Be Reversed?
Yes, you can reverse gum disease, but only in its early stage.
Identifying gingivitis early gives you a chance to turn your gum health around. That’s why routine dental check-ups and cleanings are so important. They give our team a chance to identify and address developing gum disease as early as possible.
Once gum disease becomes periodontitis, it can’t be fully reversed. However, it can be managed. That means your dentist or periodontist will help you control the infection, prevent more bone loss, and keep your teeth as healthy as possible.
How to Reverse Gingivitis
The best thing you can do to reverse gingivitis is to keep up with regular dental visits and professional teeth cleanings. However, we’re only seeing you a few times a year, so it’s important to keep up with good habits between visits.
There’s a lot you can do to reverse gum disease at home!
- Brush your teeth well twice every day for at least two minutes.
- Use a soft-bristled manual toothbrush or high-quality electric toothbrush.
- Be sure to brush all the way to the gum line on both sides of each tooth.
- Floss or use a water flosser at least once every day.
- Be sure the floss goes (gently) below your gum line on both sides of each tooth.
- If you can’t keep up with daily flossing, do what you can! Anything is better than nothing.
- Reduce or quit smoking, which is a major factor for gum disease.
- Try to stay hydrated and incorporate plenty of fruits and veggies into your diet.
In some cases, we may recommend antimicrobial mouthwash to help keep bacteria under control. There are some health issues and specific medications that can also impact your gum health, so it’s important to talk to our team about your health history so we can create a gum disease treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs.
Gingivitis can often improve in just a couple of weeks with the right care!
Managing Advanced Gum Disease
If you already have periodontitis, don’t worry. You still have options. While advanced gum disease can’t be fully reversed, our team at Imagine Dental can help stop it from getting worse. You may need more advanced treatments to clean below the gumline, rebuild bone, or restore your gums.
Let’s take a look at what those treatments might include.
Scaling and Root Planing
Think of this as a “deep cleaning” for your gums. During scaling and root planing, your dental hygienist or periodontist removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline. Then they smooth out the roots of your teeth to help your gums reattach.
This treatment can stop infection from spreading and is often the first step in treating periodontitis.
Osseous Surgery
If deep pockets of bacteria remain after scaling and root planing, we may recommend osseous surgery. In this procedure, the gums are gently lifted so your dentist can clean the roots and reshape the bone underneath. Then the gums are stitched back in place to heal properly.
This helps reduce pocket depth, making it easier to keep your teeth clean and healthy at home.
Gum Grafting
When gum disease causes your gums to recede, you might need a gum graft. This treatment replaces lost gum tissue with healthy tissue from another part of your mouth. It protects the roots of your teeth and can even improve your smile.
Gum grafting helps stop further recession and can reduce sensitivity.
Other Treatments for Periodontitis
There are a few more options your dentist might suggest, depending on how advanced the gum disease is:
- LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure): This laser treatment targets and removes infected tissue without cutting the gums. It’s less invasive and has a quicker recovery time.
- Bone Grafting: If you’ve lost bone around your teeth, a bone graft can help rebuild it. This is often needed before getting a dental implant.
- Periodontal Maintenance: After treatments like scaling and root planing or osseous surgery, we’ll help to keep your condition under control long-term with maintenance appointments, usually every three to four months.
These treatments work best when paired with good home care and regular dental visits.
Why Is It Important to Treat Gum Disease Early?
Untreated gum disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults. As the bone sockets and ligaments that support your teeth become damaged, they lose their ability to hold your teeth in place. This can cause teeth to shift, change your bite, and eventually cause the teeth to become loose and fall out. Each tooth that goes missing can cause a cascade of other issues, including bite disharmony, difficulty eating, changes to your voice like slurred speech, and strain on the jaw joints.
Importantly, gum disease doesn’t just affect your smile. It has been shown to put strain on your overall health, even increasing your risks for heart disease, diabetes, pancreatic problems, arthritis, dementia, and many other issues. Treating gum disease as early as possible can help you avoid long-term health issues that can seriously affect your quality of life.
How Our Team Can Help
If you’re feeling nervous or unsure, that’s okay. Our team at Imagine Dental is here to help with:
- Friendly, judgment-free care. We’re not here to scold you, just support you.
- Thorough exams and gentle cleanings to get a clear picture of your gum health.
- Personalized treatment plans based on your specific needs.
- Sedation options if you’re anxious or worried about treatment.
- All your care in one place, from deep cleanings to advanced surgical gum disease treatments in Phoenix and Ahwatukee.
We’ll walk you through every step, explain your options clearly, and work with you to get your gums back on track.
Don’t Leave Your Smile Waiting!
Gum disease doesn’t go away on its own, but the sooner you treat it, the better the results. Whether you’re noticing bleeding gums for the first time or dealing with a more serious case, we’re here to help you heal.
Give us a call today to schedule a cleaning or gum health check. Your smile and your health are worth it.
