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Gum disease can do a real number on your smile, as you may already know. The condition has unpleasant symptoms like bleeding gums, painful chewing, loose teeth, and more. With that said, you shouldn’t lose hope; your dentist can cure gum disease in many cases. You just need to see them before your infection worsens too much. For more details, here’s a primer on gum disease, how dentists can cure it, and how to prevent it in the first place.
Gum Disease & Its Stages
For context, it helps to review the stages of gum disease. Knowing about them lets you see why dentists can cure your gummy dilemma.
Gum disease has two separate stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. The first refers to a slight inflammation of your gum tissue, which is often irritating but ultimately minor. On the other hand, periodontitis – the second stage – is an advanced infection that directly attacks your jaw and gum tissues. A case of gingivitis can progress into periodontitis in a matter of weeks or months.
While the stages vary in symptoms, only a dentist can diagnose whether you have gingivitis or periodontitis. You should thus consult a professional to see how advanced your gum disease is.
Can a Dentist “Cure” Gum Disease?
As a matter of fact, dentistry can cure mild cases of gum disease. That means it’s crucial to get a diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
Gingivitis is reversible with proper dental care. More specifically, its symptoms can go away if you practice twice-daily brushing and flossing and get effective treatment. A good example of the latter is LANAP, which uses a soft tissue laser to kill infection-causing bacteria and remove damaged tissue. This procedure (along with good oral hygiene) would essentially “undo” your gingivitis.
Sadly, things aren’t as rosy for periodontitis. This advanced form of gum disease can’t be cured or reversed; a dentist can only help you manage it. You’ll thus want to avoid it as best you can.
How to Prevent Gum Disease
While dentists can cure gum disease, it’s better to prevent this infection entirely. Given that fact, please practice the following tips and guidelines:
- Floss Frequently – Plaque that causes gum disease can gather between your teeth, even when you brush often. Therefore, remember to floss at least once a day.
- See Your Dentist Often – Through regular dental checkups, your dentist can rid your smile of plaque before gum disease “sets in.”
- Eat Mouth-Healthy Foods – In reality, foods like lean proteins, leafy greens, and dairy products have nutrients that make gums strong. Eating them would reduce your risk of gum disease.
For more help on countering gum disease, consult your dental provider. They’ll gladly assist and treat you as needed.
About the Author
Dr. Bita Farhoumand is a board-certified periodontist in Vista, CA, having earned her DDS from the UCLA School of Dentistry. She’s thus on the cutting-edge of modern gum disease treatment and related oral surgeries. In fact, you can count on her for scaling and root planing, Perio Protect, LANAP, and more! Dr. Farhoumand is currently based at her self-titled practice and is reachable on her website and by phone at (760)-470-4664.
