Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a major reason people lose their teeth. About half of adults face this problem at some point. The tricky part is that you might not even realize you have it. But there are signs, like receding gums, bleeding, and bad breath.
Gum diseases mainly loosen the structures that hold teeth tight. Therefore, you may wonder, “How long can you keep your teeth with periodontal disease?” Let’s discuss this in detail.
Will I Lose My Teeth If I Have Periodontal Disease?
Gingivitis might start small but can cause gum swelling and other uncomfortable feelings. Stress plays a big role in getting gum disease because it weakens your immune system. As you get older or if you have certain diseases, you might notice gaps forming between your gums and teeth, and the bone underneath can get damaged. If gum disease keeps progressing and you don’t treat it, you could end up losing your teeth.
Does Gum Disease Go Away When Teeth Are Removed?
Gum disease doesn’t just affect your teeth; it attacks the soft tissues in your mouth and the bones around your teeth. The infection can still be present even if you have lost some teeth. If you don’t treat it, it can spread and cause more tooth loss and damage to your jawbone. Plus, it can get into your bloodstream and harm your heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, gut, and other important parts of your body.
Treatment Options for Periodontitis
If you have mild gum disease, good oral hygiene can often improve it at home. But if it gets worse, you might need help from a periodontist. Following are some recommended treatments:
- Scaling and Root Planing: This involves removing tartar from below your gum line and smoothing out your tooth roots to help your gums heal. It might take more than one visit.
- Surgical Pocket Reduction: For more severe cases, the dentist might do surgery to clean out the gaps between your teeth and gums. This reduces the pockets and prevents further infections. Sometimes, they might also do a gum graft if you don’t have enough gum tissue.
- Dental Implants: If you have lost teeth because of gum disease, you can get dental implants to replace them. These function and appear like real teeth.
- Medication: Your dentist might prescribe antibiotics or other medicines to help fight the bacteria causing gum disease and slow its progress.
How Long for Periodontal Disease to Heal?
If you have early to moderate gum disease, it might take about 2 to 3 weeks to get better, especially if you get the right treatment, like scaling and root planing. But if it’s severe, it might take longer to recover. With the right treatment, some people might feel better in 5 to 8 weeks.
Bottom Line
Gums act as anchors for teeth. Anything wrong with them can weaken this support. That’s when you panic and think, “How Long Can You Keep Your Teeth with Periodontal Disease?” If you manage and treat gum disease correctly, you can keep your teeth for a lifetime.
Visit Dr. Rossi at Perio Health Professionals. Our periodontist specializes in regenerative periodontal therapy, soft and hard tissue reconstruction, and esthetic periodontal services. Call us at (346) 509-9060 for an appointment.
