Gingivitis is like the grumble before the storm in your mouth. It’s when your gums decide to throw a little fit. They get red, swollen, and might even bleed. Usually, it’s because you have been slacking on the brushing and flossing, giving the bacteria a chance to party too hard.
The good news? Hop back on the oral hygiene wagon, and you can kick those party crashers out, restoring peace in your oral neighborhood. This is the only way to make gingivitis reversible.
Is Gingivitis Completely Reversible?
The gingivitis is curable. However, the catch lies in the timing. It remains recoverable only till it does not advance and turns into periodontitis, which is ongoing and irreversible damage. Periodontitis can only be controlled and cannot be eliminated.
Is Gingivitis Contagious?
The gingivitis-causing bacteria is transferable. Therefore, gingivitis is not contagious, but saliva-to-saliva contact can transfer bacteria. You can’t be catching gingivitis from sharing utensils but via saliva-to-saliva contact. Consider yourself more vulnerable if you already have health conditions like poor oral hygiene routine or a compromised immune system.
Gingivitis Symptoms
Identifying gingivitis with the help of its symptoms can help you detect the disease in its early stages. This ensures that you recover from it before the matter gets out of hand. You must look for the following symptoms:
- Foul-smelling breath
- Bleeding gums, especially during brush
- Tender gums
- Heightened sensitivity to extreme temperatures
- Pain and discomfort while chewing food.
Gingivitis Treatment
A good and thorough dental cleaning session can eliminate all the harmful bacteria, tartar, and plaque. Other gingivitis treatments are:
- Scaling and Root Planing
This is the same as a routine session at the dental office. However, the only difference is that it deeply cleanses your gums. Scaling scrapes off the stains and tartar from your tooth’s surface. While planing, polish the roots of your teeth so the bacteria find it too slippery to glide in. - Improved Oral Hygiene
Although a good dental cleaning visit can wipe off gingivitis, you can’t forget about the cleanliness after reaching home. You must maintain a proper hygiene routine, such as brushing and flossing regularly. - Antimicrobial Mouthwash
Use an antimicrobial mouthwash to keep the gingivitis-causing bacteria away. This will also prevent the need for another dental cleaning session from occurring earlier than prescribed. - Dental Work Repair
If your dentist finds snuggly fitting crowns or bridges, they can consider replacing or removing them. Polished and smooth dental surfaces require less cleaning effort.
How Long Does It Take to Reverse Gingivitis?
It all depends on the severity of your gum disease. If you adhere to a good oral care regime, you can defeat it in 2-3 weeks. However, individuals with advanced gum disease can expect to follow the routine for months. After a couple of months, they can see the symptoms completely vanishing.
Bottom Line
Every mouth is full of bacteria. Maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine is the only way to keep it from causing diseases. Gingivitis is reversible if you identify it early at the first stage.
Seek help from our skilled periodontist, Dr. Michael K. McGuire, at Perio Health Professionals. Our doctor will assess your gums and recommend the treatment accordingly to ensure the maximum health of your gums. Call us at (346) 509-9060 to book an appointment.
