Is It Possible to Reverse the Effects of the Periodontal Disease Once It Has Developed?
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection involving the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It affects your gums, jawbone, and teeth leading to serious oral health issues. Gum disease affects your smile and quality of life. Fortunately, there are various periodontal disease treatments. Read on to learn if it is possible to reverse the effects of periodontal disease.
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Your mouth contains bacteria that help in the digestion process. However, when you do not practice proper oral hygiene, they combine with debris to form plaque. This sticky film of bacteria accumulates on the surfaces of your teeth, tongue, and gum line. When you do not brush or floss, the plaque hardens and causes infection of the gums.
Consequently, your gums will bleed easily and become sore, red, swollen, and tender. You will also experience pain when eating, tooth sensitivity, and persistent bad breath. The disease will progress when you do not get treatment from a periodontal disease dentist near you. It will become more serious, leading to permanent teeth, bone, and gum tissue damage.
Although gum disease is caused by poor oral hygiene, some people are prone to it. These are people who smoke, are diabetic, or have conditions that affect the immune system. Without treatment, the disease can lead to tooth and jawbone loss.
Can the Effects of Periodontal Disease Be Reversed After Development?
Yes, the effects of gum disease can be reversed after it has developed. However, the condition must be caught early. Periodontal disease occurs in stages. The first stage is known as gingivitis and has mild symptoms that are easy to ignore.
Fortunately, visiting the dentist for checkups allows them to notice the symptoms and begin treatment. The dentist will provide appropriate treatment to reverse the effects of gum disease. This may include routine dental cleaning and administration of antibiotics.
If you do not get treatment for gingivitis, it will advance to periodontitis, a severe condition. Periodontitis affects the gum and jawbone tissue causing teeth to become loose. It also causes gum recession, tooth loss, and jawbone loss.
Fortunately, the dentist can reverse the effects of periodontitis through periodontal disease treatment. They will treat gum recession by reducing the periodontal pockets and restoring missing teeth. So, do not be anxious if you have gum disease. Instead, contact the experts at Lawn Dental Center for periodontal therapy.
Ways for Reversing the Effects of Gum Disease
When you go to the dentist’s office near you, they will provide treatment based on the stage of your disease. The experts will offer one or more of the remedies below to reverse the effects of the disease.
- Preventive Care
These are measures to prevent the condition from becoming worse and reversing it. They involve brushing at least twice daily, flossing once every day, and using mouthwash often. The most crucial step in preventive care is visiting the dentist regularly.
- Healthy Habits
The dentist will suggest changes in your lifestyle to reverse gum disease or stop its progression. They will request you quit smoking or using tobacco products. The experts will also ask you to reduce stress to allow your body to fight off the infection.
In addition, they will advise you to maintain a balanced diet to keep your gums healthy. For example, you should eat nutritious foods that help your immune system fight infections and repair damaged tissues. These include foods with vitamins E and C.
- Professional cleaning
A dentist will help you reverse or prevent gum disease through professional dental cleaning. They will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gum line, which you cannot do alone. The expert will perform root planing and scaling procedures to reverse gum disease’s effects. They are straightforward, pain-free, and effective.
- Laser Periodontal Therapy
If your gum disease has led to periodontal pockets, the dentist will recommend laser periodontal therapy. This treatment focuses on cleaning the tooth roots and under the gums to remove bacteria. It helps reduce the periodontal pockets allowing your gums to heal and regenerate.
- Traditional Surgery
For advanced gum disease, the dentist will perform gum surgery. They will surgically remove the bacteria underneath your gums and repair the gum and bone tissues.