Understanding Gum Disease: Can It Be Reversed?
Let’s be honest - hearing the words “gum disease” can sound a bit alarming. You might be wondering how serious it is, if it’s going to hurt, or whether anything can actually be done to fix it.
The good news? Gum disease can be reversed - at least in its early stages. And if it’s already progressed a little further, don’t panic. With the right care, it can absolutely be treated and managed.
In this post, we’ll talk you through what gum disease is, how it’s treated, and what your options are if you’ve been told you might need a bit of extra help keeping your gums healthy.
So, What Is Gum Disease, Really?
Gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) is caused by the bacteria in plaque - the soft stuff that builds up on your teeth if it’s not cleaned away properly.
In the beginning, it causes your gums to become red, swollen, or bleed a bit when you brush. This is called gingivitis, and it’s incredibly common. The good news? Gingivitis is totally reversible with the right care.
But if it’s left too long, it can develop into something more serious - periodontitis. At this stage, the gum starts pulling away from the tooth, forming pockets where more bacteria can hide. Over time, this can damage the bone and tissues holding your teeth in place. If it keeps progressing, you could end up with loose teeth - or even lose them completely.
The tricky part? Gum disease doesn’t usually hurt. So people often don’t realise they’ve got it until it’s already done some damage.
Can It Be Reversed?
Here’s the simple answer:
- If you’ve got gingivitis: Yes! It’s usually quite straightforward to reverse with a professional clean and a solid brushing routine at home.
- If it’s developed into periodontitis: We can’t undo the damage that’s already been done, but we can absolutely stop it getting worse. And with the right treatment and ongoing care, we can protect your remaining bone and teeth and keep everything stable.
How We Treat Gum Disease
If your gums need a bit more attention than your regular dentist can provide, you might be referred to a periodontal specialist - that’s us!
We’ve got a brilliant team of dentists here in Norwich who are experts in treating gum disease. Several of our clinicians are even on the specialist register for periodontics (basically, they’ve done years of extra training in this area).
Here’s how we typically treat gum disease:
- Scaling and Root Planing: This is a deep clean that gets right under the gum line to remove plaque, tartar and bacteria. We also smooth out the tooth roots to make it harder for bacteria to stick. It sounds a bit intense, but most people do really well with this - and it often makes a huge difference.
- Surgical Treatment (if needed): If your gum disease is more advanced, we may recommend surgery to clean deep pockets or repair damage. It’s all done with precision and care, and we’ll walk you through everything so you know exactly what to expect.
- Long-Term Maintenance: Once we’ve got your gums stable, we’ll help you keep them that way with regular visits to our hygienists. These are so important to stay on top of things and avoid any future flare-ups.
Feeling Nervous? That’s Totally Normal
Lots of people feel anxious about dental treatment. Whether it’s past experiences or just the idea of it all, we completely understand - and we’re here to help make things as calm and comfortable as possible.
One option we offer is conscious sedation. It’s a safe way to help you feel relaxed during treatment. You’ll be awake and able to chat with us if needed, but you’ll feel very calm - and probably won’t remember much about the procedure afterwards.
If you think sedation might help, just let us know. We’ll talk you through it and make sure you feel totally at ease.
Let’s Talk About Costs
We believe in being upfront and transparent about prices - no surprises.
Once we’ve had a proper look and figured out what treatment you need, we’ll send you a detailed plan with all the costs laid out clearly. If you’d prefer to spread the cost, we also offer interest-free monthly payment plans.
Just to give you an idea:
- Non-surgical treatment: £700 - £1260
- Surgical treatment: £950 - £1100
- Annual check-up: £135
It’s all tailored to your situation, so we’ll explain everything before you commit to anything.
Let’s Keep Your Gums Healthy
Whether you’re dealing with bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, or just a gut feeling that something isn’t quite right - trust your instincts. Gum disease is much easier to manage when it’s caught early.
We provide expert care, honest advice, and long-term support from our friendly clinic right here in Norwich.
If you’re concerned about your gum health, speak with your local dentist. They can assess your needs and provide a referral to us for specialist care.