Gum Disease – Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
Gum disease isn’t curable, but you can control it with regular dental cleaning and good oral hygiene. The first stage, gingivitis, is reversible with treatment, including improving your brushing and flossing habits. But without intervention, it can progress to periodontitis, which damages the bone and tissue that support your teeth. Untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss and increase your risk for heart disease, diabetes, lung disease and rheumatoid arthritis. CDC works with partners to help reduce the burden of gum disease through research, surveillance and prevention efforts.
Understanding Gum Disease: Prevention and Treatment
Symptoms of early gum disease include red, swollen, or bleeding gums. If you notice these symptoms, make an appointment with your dentist. They will examine your mouth and may use a probe to measure the depth of the pockets around your teeth (called periodontal pockets). Your dentist or dental hygienist will also take dental X-rays to see the extent of the bone loss.
Your doctor will recommend a variety of gum disease treatments, depending on the extent and severity of your condition. They can range from nonsurgical to surgical procedures. They may use antibiotics to fight infection or promote your body’s natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue. They can also use bone grafts, in which fragments of your own bone or synthetic bone replace the lost tissue and restore stability to your teeth. Other surgeries can reinforce thin gums or fill in areas where the gums have receded. They can even use new technology that encourages your gums to regenerate faster.
Gum disease isn’t curable, but you can control it with regular dental cleaning and good oral hygiene. The first stage, gingivitis, is reversible with treatment, including improving your brushing and flossing habits. But without intervention, it can progress to periodontitis, which damages the bone and tissue that support your teeth. Untreated gum disease can lead…