Stage 2: Slight periodontal disease Symptoms of slight periodontal disease include increased swelling or redness of the gums and bleeding during brushing or flossing. Your dentist can diagnose this stage of the disease by probing the depths between your gums and teeth.
Stage 2: Periodontitis
Your gums begin to form “pockets,” deep hollow areas around the teeth that trap food, plaque, and bacteria. Your gums will recede and form gaps between your teeth. Immediate treatment is necessary to prevent further damage and tooth loss.
Once you reach this second stage of gum disease, it is no longer reversible. However, it can be managed. At this stage, the infection of the gums has spread to the bone.
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.
It's never too late to seek treatment for gum disease, and the degree of treatment you require will depend on how advanced it is.
So, how long does it take for gum disease to develop? 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.
Gingivitis is sometimes mistaken for periodontitis and vice versa. They are both stages of periodontal disease.
As the present study has shown that mouth rinses (Listerine and Chlorhexidine) were “at least as good as” dental floss in antigingival efficacy, they can be recommended for the patients with gingivitis as an adjunctive to usual home care routine.
Mouthwash and Gum Disease
Mouthwash will help kill the bad bacteria in your mouth, so it can certainly help you prevent gum disease before it starts. Fortunately, it can also help reverse gingivitis, so it's definitely something to have in your arsenal against gum disease.
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.
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.
With the right knowledge, diligent home care, hygiene therapy, and guidance from your hygienist, you will be able to cure periodontitis, if it hasn't progressed too far.
How long does it take to get rid of gingivitis? You can expect to see improvements after a few days of treatment, but it may take a while for symptoms to go away completely. In most cases, gingivitis usually clears up within 10 to 14 days. If your gingivitis is more serious, it could take longer to treat.
Another preventative measure is to swish with mouthwashes for gingivitis because they can help kill bacteria and maintain gum hygiene. “Gingivitis is reversible with good oral care, but, left untreated, it often progresses to periodontitis,” said Dr. Kami Hoss, author of If Your Mouth Could Talk.
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.
Advanced Periodontal Disease: The final stage of periodontal disease is when the infection has evolved into disease-causing bacteria. It can cause redness, swollen gums that ooze pus, sensitivity, loosening of teeth, painful chewing, severe bad breath, and bone loss.
Yellow: A slight yellow tint or film on your gums is an indicator of gingivitis. Gingivitis is usually accompanied by inflamed and swollen gums. This condition is common and can be remedied with a visit to the dentist and improved oral care.
Examination of your teeth, gums, mouth and tongue for signs of plaque and inflammation. Measuring the pocket depth of the groove between your gums and your teeth by inserting a dental probe beside your tooth beneath your gum line, usually at several sites throughout your mouth.
Don't worry, there's good news. While kissing can transmit “bad” bacteria to your mouth that contribute to gum disease, gum disease itself is not contagious.
Tooth Condition: If you have gingivitis, your teeth should be firmly in place, although your gums may be irritated, red and swollen. If a tooth or teeth are loose, it is more likely you have periodontitis.
The most common cause of inflammation is gum disease, but poor oral hygiene, improper brushing or flossing, tobacco use, medical treatments, hormone changes, and irritation from dental appliances such as dentures or braces can also play a role.