Once gum disease turns into periodontitis, it can become a serious threat to your oral health. Luckily, if your gum disease is still in the gingivitis stage, then it may still be possible for you to reverse it. But just how long will it take for your mouth to heal from the condition? And what exactly do you need to do to restore the health of your gums? Learning the answers to these questions could make all the difference when it comes to protecting your smile.
How Long Will It Be Until Your Mouth Heals?
As long as gingivitis is identified and treated promptly, it can be reversed in a relatively short amount of time. In many cases, it will take around two weeks for your gums to heal. Bear in mind, though, that once gum disease turns into periodontitis, completely curing it is no longer an option. Thus, if you have bleeding gums or other signs of gum disease, it’s in your best interest to contact your dentist right away to discuss your treatment options.
What Can You Do to Reverse Gingivitis?
Step one is to have your teeth professionally cleaned. Your dentist can check your mouth for areas where plaque and tartar have built up. They can then remove these harmful substances so that they can’t contribute to further gum problems.
But a single treatment won’t be enough. In order to give your mouth a chance to truly heal from gingivitis, you need to improve the care that you give your smile by following these crucial steps:
- Floss at least once a day to get rid of plaque and food particles hiding in the hard-to-reach spaces between your teeth.
- Improve your brushing routine. You need to brush your teeth for two minutes at a time at least twice a day. Focus on brushing near the gumline. It may be beneficial to switch from a manual toothbrush to an electric one.
- Add antibacterial mouthwash to your oral hygiene routine. It can help fight the bacteria in areas that you’re having a difficult time cleaning through other methods.
One thing that’s worth keeping in mind is that even if your gingivitis does go away, it can always come back. As such, even if your gums have already healed, you should continue to stick to your improved oral hygiene practices in order to protect the health of your grin.
In summary, as long as you’re proactive about taking the right steps, you should be able to reverse gingivitis quickly – long before it can turn into a more severe problem.
About the Practice
At Silver Creek Dentistry, we have multiple highly experienced dental experts who always make a point of listening carefully to the needs of their patients. We’re able to provide a full menu of dental services, including deep cleanings and other treatments for gum disease. To schedule a consultation at our office in Ripon, visit our website or call (920) 748-7200.