Professional gingivitis care includes: Professional dental cleaning. Your initial professional cleaning will include removing all traces of plaque, tartar and bacterial products — a procedure known as scaling and root planing. Scaling removes tartar and bacteria from your tooth surfaces and beneath your gums.
The actual gum grafting procedure is painless. This is because a local anesthetic is used to numb the affected area. A periodontist, who is a dental specialist in gum disease and the gums, typically performs this procedure. You may instead feel some movement or pressure as your periodontist performs the procedure.
Treatment Time for Gingivitis
But for those with gingivitis due to poor oral hygiene, the average time it takes for gingivitis to go away is about 10 to 14 days after your treatment, along with proper oral healthcare. Keep in mind that there are many, many factors that can change the timeline.
Chlorhexidine (Peridex) is an antibacterial mouth rinse that is used to treat gingivitis (redness and swelling of the gum), but you'll need a prescription to use it.
Gingivitis can actually be reversed with early treatment but unlike gingivitis, periodontal disease can only be controlled with periodontal care.
Gingivitis can be reversed with professional treatment and good home oral care. Ongoing gum inflammation can cause periodontitis, eventually causing pockets to develop between your gums and teeth that fill with plaque, tartar and bacteria.
The bacteria growing below the gum line (sub-gingival dental plaque) have a foul smell and contribute to bad breath if not removed. Signs that you have gum disease are bleeding on brushing or flossing, inflamed looking gums, bad breath.
While any gum loss experienced due to gum disease will not grow back, the majority of patients can expect their gums to reattach after undergoing a deep cleaning. This is because all of the harmful bacteria has been removed, allowing the gums to once again be healthy.
If gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to Stage 1 Periodontitis. This is when the inflammation in the gums becomes destructive.
Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include: Swollen or puffy gums. Dusky red or dark red gums. Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss.
The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.
Salt water can help to remove the plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. Salt has healing properties that can treat and heal inflamed or swollen gums caused by gum disease. Even though salt water is extremely effective in helping to treat gum disease, salt water cannot cure gum disease.
Something to note – if you have active periodontal (gum) disease, you may need more frequent appointments to manage this condition. These appointments may occur every 2-6 months.
One study found that if you're starting from level 1 gingivitis, it takes an average of 66.8 weeks, which is a little over 15 months, to develop into periodontitis. If your gingivitis is more advanced than this, it takes less time.
Gum disease like periodontitis or gingivitis can be treated with antibiotics, although they are not recommended as the sole treatment.
If you have pockets 4mm or greater, or other evidence of periodontal disease, a cleaning is almost always necessary to stop the progression of gingivitis. If your dentist deems deep cleaning necessary, it is very important that you schedule an appointment.
Since deep cleanings are more thorough, and go further below the gumline than regular cleanings, they can potentially cause some discomfort or pain. To ensure your comfort during your deep cleaning, your dentist will numb the treatment site before beginning.
Final note. If you notice your gums are bleeding, either due to gingivitis or oral trauma, contact an emergency dentist immediately for a consultation. The dentist will examine your teeth and gums and recommend suitable treatment to stop the bleeding and treat gum disease.
Only the first stage of gum disease, known as “gingivitis” can be reversed. After it progresses into the second stage (periodontitis), it's no longer possible to completely eliminate it.
You can have deep cleanings whenever it feels necessary. Still, make sure you have at least two dental cleanings per year. Deep cleanings are for patients with oral issues like gum disease and tooth decay every three months. Consult with your dentist to determine how often you should have deep cleanings.