Can you be healthy with periodontitis?

Now, a report in the August issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine finds that treating gum disease (also called periodontal disease) can lead to better health — as evidenced by lower health care costs and fewer hospitalizations — among people with common health conditions.

Can teeth be saved with periodontal disease?

Saving teeth from periodontal disease is possible if you detect the signs and symptoms early or regularly visit your dentist for cleanings and exams. Let the condition progress unhindered, and tooth loss should be considered as an eventuality.

Can you recover from mild periodontitis?

If you've recently been diagnosed with periodontitis, you might be feeling worried about what that means for the future of your oral health. Although a diagnosis for this issue isn't a cause for celebration, you should know that periodontitis recovery is possible.

Can periodontal disease be helped?

A person can be free of gum disease with an aggressive approach. The dentist can also employ methods such as scaling and root planing to help the patient heal. These processes are ways of deep-cleaning the gumline and eliminating bacteria. Surgical procedures are also available to halt the disease.

How fast does periodontal disease progress?

Slight Periodontal Disease

During the early gingivitis stages, gum inflammation can occur in as little as five days. Within two to three weeks, the signs of generalized gingivitis become more noticeable. If you still leave this untreated, it would progress to slight periodontal disease.

Periodontitis and its influence on health - How is periodontal disease treated? ©

Can periodontitis be stopped?

Periodontitis can be stopped if caught and treated early enough. Treatment is typically very successful. If you have periodontitis, regular follow-ups with a dentist are essential to ensure that the disease doesn't continue.

Do a lot of people have periodontitis?

A recent CDC report¹ provides the following data related to prevalence of periodontitis in the U.S.: 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease increases with age, 70.1% of adults 65 years and older have periodontal disease.

Is it too late to save my gums?

It's never too late to seek treatment for gum disease, and the degree of treatment you require will depend on how advanced it is.

Can you stop periodontal disease from getting worse?

Advanced gum disease, also called periodontal disease, cannot be reversed. However, our dentists are able to mitigate the damaging effects of periodontal disease through scaling and root planing. Periodontal treatment can help you avoid some of the more serious side effects, such as receding gums and tooth loss.

How long does it take to recover from periodontitis?

The length of time it will take your gums to heal depends on the severity of your gum disease. It can take anywhere from 2 – 4 weeks, while deeper pockets can take months to completely heal. Because your mouth will be tender and inflamed, a soft food diet is advised for the first few days.

Can bone loss from periodontitis be reversed?

Left untreated, the bone in your jaw and around your teeth will continue to resorb, leading to more tooth loss, disease, and pain. There is good news! In most cases, dental bone loss can be stopped. And with expert periodontal care, you can actually regenerate bone and reverse bone loss.

What is mild periodontitis?

Slight Periodontal Disease: Slight periodontal disease is the second stage of gum disease. It isn't reversible, but can be managed. Once you reach stage two, the infection has spread to the bone and has begun to destroy bones. The bacteria have become more aggressive, which is what leads to bone less.

Can you live a normal life with gum disease?

Living with periodontal disease can cause aesthetic complications and bone loss of a serious nature. Unlike other injuries, periodontal disease does not cause any pain. It is a silent disease when the teeth gum becomes inflamed and bleeds.

Can your gums heal from gum disease?

The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.

What is Stage 4 periodontal disease?

In stage four the periodontal disease has taken a firm hold. Your gums will be visibly receding, exposing tender tooth enamel which can be easily damaged and then start to decay. The hidden damage to your jawbone will start to become noticeable as your teeth start to loosen, becoming wobbly or even moving position.

Can you rebuild bone loss in gums?

Proper periodontal therapy in combination with good home oral hygiene (proper tooth brushing, flossing and interdental cleaning) can eradicate the disease and even regrow some of the bone loss.

Can you restore healthy gums?

While your gum tissue can't grow back, there are many treatment options that can help stop or slow down the process. Work with your dentist to figure out the most effective treatment option based on your general oral health and the amount of recession you have.

Can periodontitis lead to death?

Conclusions. Individuals with periodontitis have an increased risk for future events of ischemic heart diseases and death.

Is periodontitis genetic?

Current studies suggest that periodontal disease is influenced by heredity, so your genetic makeup truly does have the potential to make you more susceptible to periodontitis. Aggressive Periodontitis is a condition where patients rapidly lose bone around selected teeth. In some cases it can affect all of the teeth.

How is mild periodontitis treated?

Topical or oral antibiotics can help control bacterial infection. Topical antibiotics can include antibiotic mouth rinses or insertion of gels containing antibiotics in the space between your teeth and gums or into pockets after deep cleaning.

Can you get periodontitis at 20?

While periodontitis is more common in older adults, even younger people can have it.

Can periodontal pockets shrink?

Scaling and root planing helps to shrink periodontal pockets and can heal gum tissue. This treatment prevents further infection, and keeps your teeth and gums looking and feeling great. After scaling and root planing most patients notice their gums recede less, and they are restored.

Is gum disease permanent?

So how do I cure gum disease? Gum disease can be cured. Essentially, it's all about removing bacteria from your mouth and allowing the gums to heal back to a healthy state. If you want to get rid of gum disease, the first step is to get the right education so that you know how to clean your teeth effectively at home.

Is periodontal disease a death sentence?

This type of dental health condition is by no means a death sentence for your health; your dentist or periodontist can help you treat this reversible condition and restore your oral and overall wellbeing.

Should I be worried about periodontal disease?

If you don't treat periodontitis, you risk having loss of gums, teeth, and can cause permanent damage. Identification of gum disease early is important. You should regularly watch for symptoms, including bad breath, swollen and/or bleeding gums, and toothaches.