Healthy gums are the most vital part of a healthy smile. Without healthy gums, the health of your teeth, soft tissue, and jawbone may begin to deteriorate quickly. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with gingivitis, you may be worried about what this means for the future of your smile. While early gum disease can be daunting, there are things that can be done to remedy this and protect you from further periodontitis.
In this blog, we’ll discuss some clear signs of healthy gums, the stages of gum disease, how to tackle early gum disease, and when the disease has progressed too significantly to be reversed.
Signs of Healthy Gums
There are a few key characteristics of healthy gums. You’ll know your gums are healthy if they are:
- Light pink to coral colored
- Firm to the touch
- Wrapped tightly around your teeth
- Not bleeding when brushing and flossing
- Creating a knife-edged shape that follows the curve of your teeth
- Stippled in appearance, similar to that of an orange peel
The Stages of Gum Disease
Like many other diseases, there are stages of gum disease. Understanding the stage you’re in can help you address and remedy your symptoms. The stages of gum disease are as follows:
- Stage 1 (Gingivitis): Individuals with this early gum disease may notice red and puffy gums. Your gums may also bleed when brushing and flossing.
- Stage 2 (Mild Periodontitis): Once your gum disease has progressed to mild periodontitis, bacteria makes its way beneath your gums. They may pull away from your teeth, creating pockets for more plaque and tartar buildup. At this point, it can affect the health of your jawbone.
- Stage 3 (Moderate Periodontitis): When your gum disease progresses to this stage, you’ll notice chronic bad breath and pockets of pus along your gumline. It may also impact your ligaments, soft tissue, and jawbone, compromising tooth structure. When you’re experiencing moderate periodontitis, you may develop lingering pain.
- Stage 4 (Advanced Periodontitis): Once you’ve reached this final stage of periodontitis, you’ll experience worsening bone health and tooth loss.
How to Reverse Early Gum Disease
If you are dealing with early gum disease, there are a few things you can do to protect your teeth. The first and easiest way to reverse your early gum disease is by brushing and flossing regularly. You should brush your teeth at least twice daily to remove food particles, plaque, tartar, and bacteria. Flossing should be performed at least once daily to remove debris from your mouth that brushing didn’t address.
By brushing and flossing, you rid your mouth of the bacteria that causes gum disease, keeping yourself safe from more severe symptoms. Another way to address early gum disease is by scheduling regular dental cleanings. During these cleanings, your dental team will remove any plaque and tartar you can’t reach alone.
You should also consider incorporating an antimicrobial mouthwash into your oral hygiene routine, as this can help kill bacteria that may harm your gums. If you’re dealing with gum disease, it might also be a good time to give up tobacco products. These products can lead to gum inflammation and may contribute to worsening gum health.
Finally, consider eating a gum-friendly diet. Foods rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and calcium are great for teeth and gum strength. You should also limit your intake of sugary treats, as these can increase bacteria growth. By following these steps, you should be able to begin reversing the symptoms of early gum disease.
Is It Too Late to Reverse Your Periodontitis?
In its earliest stage, you can prevent gum disease from progressing. For those with gingivitis, it is possible to heal your gums, prevent further damage, and reverse the disease. However, once you’ve progressed to periodontitis, the symptoms can no longer be reversed. When you’re diagnosed with periodontitis, you can only manage your symptoms.
Managing your symptoms of periodontitis is similar to the steps of reversing your early gum disease. However, you may also need more advanced dental treatments, like root planing and scaling, surgery, laser therapies, and antibiotic prescriptions. While you cannot reverse the disease at this point, individuals with periodontitis can still protect their teeth from the devastating effects of further, more aggressive gum disease.
The Risks of Untreated Periodontitis
There are several significant risks of leaving your periodontitis untreated. As mentioned above, the most significant risk is tooth loss. However, the dangers of the disease don’t end here. Some other risks include:
- Increased Risk of Heart Disease
- Risk of a Stroke
- Development of Type 2 Diabetes
- Triggering Auto-Immune Responses
- Pneumonia, COPD, and Asthma
Protect Your Teeth and Gums at North View Dental
By taking a proactive approach to your gum health, you can protect yourself from tooth loss, chronic pain, and other detrimental symptoms. If you’re looking for a reliable dental team in the North Ogden area to help you achieve your best gum health, turn to our team at North View Dental for support.
For over 20 years, our team has provided the most reliable and compassionate dental care to patients across the Wasatch Front. From regular dental care to cosmetic procedures and more, we’re confident that we can help you reach the smile of your dreams. When you’re ready to schedule an appointment with our team, don’t hesitate to contact us for support.