How to Reverse (or Prevent) Severe Gum Disease

If you’re battling gum disease, you’re not alone. Gum disease — officially known as periodontal disease — affects more than 42% of adults over the age of 30. This number jumps to 60% for adults 65 and older. 

Unfortunately, gum disease can lead to serious complications such as permanent tooth loss. 

Luckily, with the right care and lifestyle changes, it’s possible to prevent gum disease and even reverse it in its early stages. 

At Baton Rouge Periodontics & Implants, our periodontists, Dr. Jenny Herman and Dr. Barry Biner, share what you can do if you already have gum disease.

Understanding the stages of gum disease

Gum disease is a serious condition that affects your gums and the jawbone supporting your teeth. Gum disease progresses in stages, and unfortunately, not all forms of gum disease are reversible. 

Gum disease

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. At first you might notice red or tender gums, swelling, or bleeding. Gingivitis is mild and reversible, but it can progress to periodontitis if left untreated.

Periodontitis

If gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, your gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that can collect bacteria. The pocket depth can be measured to determine the severity of your gum disease. 

As periodontitis progresses, you might notice that receding gums get worse or that teeth become loose.

How to reverse the early stage of gum disease 

While you can’t reverse severe gum disease, you can reverse the early stages through practicing a number of good habits, outlined below.

Practice good oral hygiene

Make sure you:

• Brush your teeth twice a day 
• Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to brush along your gums
• Floss daily to help remove plaque from between your teeth and along your gums
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash to help control bacterial buildup and keep your gums healthy

Look for mouthwash or toothpaste with the American Dental Association Seal of Approval. Many toothpastes and mouthwashes contain special formulas to support healthy gums.

Schedule routine dental exams

Regular dental visits here at Baton Rouge Periodontics and Implants can help catch gum disease in its earliest stage. During your cleaning, your hygienist can clear away plaque and tartar that brushing alone can’t remove.

Schedule cleanings every six months — or more frequently if we recommend it — to help manage signs of gum inflammation.

Schedule recommended treatments

If you have more advanced gingivitis, we may recommend periodontal maintenance, such as a deep-cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing. This removes tartar below the gum line and smooths the tooth root, which helps your gums reattach and reduces the risk of further bacterial infection.

Use medications if prescribed

Our team may suggest medicated mouth rinses, gels, or even antibiotics to manage infections. These treatments are often short term and focus on reducing bacterial buildup in your gums.

Stop smoking

Smokers are twice as likely to develop gum disease, and unfortunately, smoking can make any treatments that you try less effective. 

Quitting smoking is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of severe gum disease, make your treatment more effective, and keep your gums (and lungs!) healthy.

Manage underlying health conditions

Certain conditions, such as diabetes, can exacerbate gum disease and make your symptoms worse. If you have the early stage of gum disease and an underlying condition, work with your primary care provider to manage your health. 

For example, if you have diabetes, take your medication as directed, exercise, and follow your healthy eating plan to keep your blood sugar levels normal.

How to prevent severe gum disease from progressing

If you already have periodontitis, your goal is to prevent it from getting worse. If periodontitis has progressed to a severe stage, it may require advanced treatments like bone grafting or soft tissue grafting. These treatments aim to reduce pocket depth, stabilize teeth, and regenerate lost bone.

Our team offers several advanced options including:

• Pocket reduction
• Bone grafting 
• Laser-assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP®) to remove diseased gum tissue and stimulate healthier gum tissue growth
• Pinhole surgical technique (PST™) to stimulate gum cell growth

A bonus to using laser treatments for gum disease is that laser therapy is less invasive than traditional surgery and promotes faster healing.

If you’ve already lost a tooth due to gum disease, our team can replace your missing tooth (or teeth) with dental implants.

Get help for gum disease

Don’t wait for gum disease to get worse before you reach out for help. Give us a call at 225-769-1444 to speak with our friendly team. Or, click here to request an appointment at our office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.