Reports suggest that more than 50% of people in the United States have some level of gum disease. Such a large population lives with this oral disease but is it really that dangerous? Medical education suggests that safety in large numbers has no significance. This problem may stay dormant in your gums for years without causing any trouble. As you walk through the passage of time, gum disease could be a disaster waiting to happen. If you are experiencing this disease, you must be wondering can gum disease be reversed.
Like most of the world’s diseases, gum disease can be cured if detected early. The condition is reversible if you or your dentist is able to identify the issue. Getting regular checkups will
surely make that possible. Yes, you can reverse it unless you ignore it. In the case of gum disease, carelessness and ignorance will lead to consequences that are irreversible and will last a lifetime. So, ensure you are consistent with your dental hygiene.
How To Identify Gum Disease?
The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. This stage causes inflammation in the gingiva (the muscle tissue surrounding your teeth). The condition is caused by the excess plaque and tartar that accumulates around the roots of your teeth. Over time the bacteria in this plaque damage the gums and cause the following problems:
- Bleeding Gums
- Swollen gums
- Temperature sensitive teeth
- bad breath
- Excess Tartar build-up
These are some common symptoms of gingivitis. Having some of these symptoms does not mean that you have gingivitis, nor does it rule out the possibility of it. Screening these symptoms means you need further examination. Your dentist will decide whether you are eligible for gingivitis treatment based on the symptoms, medical history, and sometimes x-rays.
Who Is More Susceptible To Gingivitis
Your lifestyle could make it challenging to identify the condition. For example, smokers are much more likely to suffer from the disease, but it is difficult to determine whether they have gingivitis or not. The reason is that bleeding gums is a common trait of gum disease, but frequent smokers’ gums may not bleed because smoking reduces the blood flow to the gums.
If your family has a history of suffering from gum disease, it increases the possibility of you experiencing the problem. It is also possible that you may not experience all the symptoms, so don’t assume that you are not at risk. If you have any of the symptoms, do consult your dentist. You can reverse gum disease at this stage with proper care and treatment. On the other hand, if you ignore your symptoms and let the condition escalate, it will progress to periodontitis.
What to Do In Case Of Periodontitis
Reversing periodontitis disease is not possible, and now you will have to live with this condition for life. Do not panic because the earlier it is detected, the easier you can manage it. If periodontitis is detected very early, then you have the leniency of managing it with regular dental consultancy and good dental care habits. But remember that from here, the more you let it progress, the worst it will get. Now the best you can do is keep the disease from progressing.
Conclusion
It is a common but reversible disease, but people live with it due to a lack of information or misinformation. Early detection is the key to proper treatment. If you want our professionals to treat your gum disease, please contact Almond dental at our St. Anthony location at 612-782-7000 or our Maple Grove location at (763) 762-7177.