Can gum disease be cured? Past a certain point, no. It’s a chronic condition, and the thing about chronic conditions is that that are either slow to heal or can never completely be cured — so once you’ve got gum disease, it’s pretty much yours for life. That’s why prevention is key. Keep reading to learn more about the moment beyond which gum disease cannot be cured, and how we manage the condition with expert periodontal therapy here in Indianapolis at Indy Dental Group.
Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection in the gums that occurs in several stages. Your dentist will diagnose the severity of your condition by measuring the periodontal pockets, or the spaces where bacteria builds up between the teeth and gums. The stages of gum disease are as follows:
- Gingivitis: When the pockets measure between 1 and 4 millimeters. This is the first stage of gum disease, which typically causes bleeding gums and mild tenderness or redness of the tissue. Gingivitis can usually be reversed if it is caught in time.
- Moderate to severe gum disease: When pockets measure between 4 and 7 millimeters. Gum disease cannot be reversed beyond this point. Scaling and root planing will usually be recommended as the treatment of choice. During this treatment, your dentist or hygienist uses special tools to clean above and below the gum line, removing infected tissue and smoothing the tooth’s root to prevent reinfection.
- Severe gum disease: When the pockets are very deep and the risk of tooth loss is high, surgical treatment for gum disease may be required.
Prevention Is the Word
Because gum disease can still be reversed when detected in the early stages of gingivitis, prevention is of the utmost importance for your periodontal health. After gum disease progresses, the chances of its successful treatment are drastically reduced. Taking excellent care of your teeth at home and visiting your dentist every six months will go far in helping you to enjoy a healthy mouth for a lifetime to come.
Some tips to help you enjoy better cleaner, healthier gums include:
- Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day
- Floss daily
- Use a fluoride toothpaste to prevent plaque and tartar buildup around the gum line
- Invest in an electric toothbrush for a more in-depth clean
- Avoid cigarettes and tobacco
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Chew sugar-free gum after and between meals to stimulate saliva flow for a cleaner mouth
- Attend regular checkups with your dentist
When was your last visit to your general dentist? If it has been longer than 6 months, you are overdue for the routine preventive care that your teeth and gums require. Don’t hesitate to contact your dentist in Indianapolis at the Indy Dental Group today!
About Indy Dental Group
At Indy Dental Group, the team of dentists offers general and specialized dental care to help keep smiles healthy for life. To learn more about their services or to schedule an appointment for treatment for gum disease in Indianapolis, you are invited to contact the office at (317) 571-1900.