How Do I Cure Gum Disease?
Left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss, bone degeneration, and other health problems. The good news is that gum disease is treatable and preventable. With early intervention, it can often be reversed with a combination of good oral hygiene, professional dental treatments, and healthy lifestyle habits. The earlier you catch the symptoms and seek treatment, the easier it will be to halt or even reverse the worsening of your symptoms.
If you’re looking to cure a new or developing case of gum disease, consider the following important steps:
Improved Oral Hygiene
Especially in the early stages of gum disease, known as gingivitis, the most crucial factor in halting or reversing its progression is practicing good oral hygiene. Thorough brushing, flossing, and oral rinsing can help remove the buildup of plaque that causes gum disease and help prevent the infection from progressing or returning.
Practice consistent oral hygiene every day, including:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Be sure to brush for at least two minutes, and cover all reachable surfaces of your teeth and gums. Pay extra attention to gaps in your gumline, which is where plaque tends to build up.
- Flossing daily: Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles between your teeth and along the gumline—places that a toothbrush can’t always reach.
- Using mouthwash: An antimicrobial mouthwash, especially after meals, can help reduce bacteria in your mouth, which will help prevent the buildup of plaque and the formation of tartar.
Lifestyle Changes
Certain lifestyle changes can support the healing process and help prevent gum disease from returning. Smoking is a major risk factor for gum disease, as tobacco use weakens the immune system and impairs the ability of gum tissues to heal on their own. Quitting smoking can significantly improve your gum health.
Likewise, a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C, helps maintain strong gums and immune function. Foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provide essential nutrients that can support gum health and keep bad bacteria in check.
Professional Cleaning
While good oral hygiene at home is essential, professional dental care is also a necessary factor in effectively treating or curing gum disease. A thorough dental cleaning can remove built up plaque and tartar, especially in places a regular toothbrush or floss cannot reach.
For more advanced cases of gum disease, more serious and involved forms of treatment may be necessary to prevent the disease’s progression and to restore your mouth to back to good health.
Once your gum disease has been treated, ongoing oral hygiene and dental care are important to ensure the condition doesn’t return.
Medical or Surgical Options
In more severe cases of gum disease, a round of antibiotics may be necessary to help fight the infection. Antibiotics can come in the form of orally administered tablets, topical gels, or mouth rinses.
If periodontitis has progressed to a severe stage, more advanced treatments, including surgical intervention, may be necessary. Surgical procedures can restore gum health, especially if significant bone loss or deep pockets between the teeth and gums have developed over time.