Can You Reverse Gum Disease? [VIDEO]
Did you know gum disease affects almost half of American adults?
A recent study found 42% of adults ages 30 and older suffer from gum disease, ranging from early to severe stages.
Noticing early signs of gum disease is one of the most important steps to prevent further damage to your teeth and gums.
In this video, see how our Dental Hygienist, Erin, checks for bacteria under your gums!
Erin: Hey, this is Erin from Dr. Mann’s office! Today, I’m going to show you what could be lurking below your gums.
What we have here is a sample of plaque that we took and mounted on a microscope slide.
Then, we put it under the microscope get a snapshot of bacteria hanging out under the gums.
I’ll show you a couple of things here.
We have the actual plaque sample, and attached or surrounding that sample are a few different types of bacteria.
The long stick-like bacterias here are rods. Those are moderate-risk bacteria.
These bacteria cause bleeding in our gums. They also can eventually cause bone loss and damage to the structure that holds your teeth in place.
We also have these small cocci bacteria. Those are low-risk bacteria.
So, how do we get rid of these?
- Use a WaterPik at home
- Floss daily
- Brush twice a day for at least two minutes each time
- Come and see us to get your gums checked on a regular basis
We’ll see you guys at your next appointment! Thanks for watching.
How do you know if you have gum disease?
Sometimes, you may not know until it’s too late.
Why?
Gum disease can be painless and develop slowly.
The best way to monitor for gum disease is by scheduling an appointment with your dentist.
Like Erin shows in the video, we’re able to use modern technology to identify tiny bacteria our human eyes can’t see.
Can gum disease be reversed?
There are two types of gum disease:
- Gingivitis (early stage)
- Periodontitis (severe)
We’ll discuss the difference below, but for now:
Early gum disease can be reversed.
However:
It needs to be identified and treated as soon as possible.
Keep reading to learn how.
How to prevent and reverse gingivitis
Early gum disease symptoms usually include:
- Redness
- Sensitivity to touch
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Tartar build-up
Good oral hygiene is key in beating early gum disease.
This includes:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day, preferably after each meal if you can
- Flossing daily
- Replacing toothbrushes once bristles become frayed or every 3-4 months
- Using products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance… This text opens a new tab to the American Dental Association website…
And lastly:
Visit your dentist to schedule a deep cleaning.
Can periodontitis be cured?
Periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease that requires more specialized care.
Symptoms may include:
- Chronic bad breath
- Pus coming out of your gums
- Loose teeth or tooth loss
- Pain when eating
You may need surgical intervention to regenerate bone and gum tissues before it’s too late.
Where can I get my gums checked in North Carolina?
Charles Ashley Mann, DDS & Associates has the tools you need to identify and treat your gum disease.
Schedule your appointment now.
- Call our Cary office: 919-462-9338
- Call our Garner office: 919-838-7388
- Call our Fuquay-Varina office: 919-552-1044
- Send us a message online
We happily welcome patients from all over North Carolina, including Cary… This text opens a new tab to the Google Maps website…, Garner… This text opens a new tab to the Google Maps website…, Fuquay-Varina… This text opens a new tab to the Google Maps website…, Raleigh, Angier, Lillington, Willow Spring, Holly Springs, Apex, and Clayton, NC.
