Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a condition that affects the gums and the supporting structures around the teeth. Many people first notice it because their gums bleed when brushing, feel swollen, look red, or their breath does not stay fresh for long. In more advanced cases, the gums may pull away from the teeth, teeth may feel loose, or chewing may become uncomfortable.
The answer to the question “will periodontal disease go away?” depends on the stage of the disease. Early gum disease, called gingivitis, can often be reversed with good oral hygiene and professional cleaning. However, once gum disease has progressed to periodontitis, it usually does not simply go away on its own. Periodontitis is a long-term condition that needs professional treatment and ongoing maintenance.
This does not mean that periodontal disease cannot be managed. With the right treatment, good daily cleaning and regular periodontal maintenance, the disease can often be stabilised. The aim is to stop the disease from getting worse, reduce inflammation, protect the bone and gum support around the teeth, and help you keep your teeth for as long as possible.
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. It is usually caused by plaque building up around the gum line. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth. If it is not removed properly, it can irritate the gums and cause redness, swelling and bleeding.
At the gingivitis stage, the damage is usually limited to the gums. The bone and deeper supporting structures around the teeth have not yet been permanently damaged. This means gingivitis can often be reversed with improved brushing, cleaning between the teeth, and professional dental cleaning.
Periodontitis is more serious. It happens when the inflammation spreads deeper below the gum line. The gums can start to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets where bacteria collect. Over time, the bone that supports the teeth can be damaged. This bone loss cannot usually be reversed naturally, which is why periodontitis needs proper treatment and long-term care.
Periodontal disease is unlikely to go away without treatment, especially if it has progressed beyond mild gum inflammation. Brushing better at home can help reduce plaque and inflammation, but it may not remove hardened tartar or bacteria deep below the gum line.
If periodontal disease is ignored, it can become worse over time. The gum pockets may become deeper, the gums may recede further, and the bone around the teeth may continue to reduce. In advanced cases, teeth can become loose or may eventually need to be removed.
This is why early diagnosis is important. The sooner gum disease is identified, the easier it is to treat and control. If your gums bleed regularly, this should not be seen as normal. Bleeding gums are often a sign that inflammation is present and that you should arrange a dental assessment.
The word “cured” can be misleading when talking about periodontitis. Gingivitis can often be reversed, but periodontitis is usually managed rather than permanently cured. Once bone and supporting tissue have been lost, the main aim is to stop further damage and keep the condition stable.
Many people with periodontitis can keep their teeth for many years if they follow a good maintenance plan. This normally includes professional cleaning, careful daily home care, and regular monitoring by a dentist, hygienist or periodontist.
Periodontal disease can become active again if plaque builds up, if maintenance appointments are missed, or if risk factors such as smoking, diabetes or poor oral hygiene are not controlled. This is why ongoing care is so important.
Periodontal disease can often be prevented, or its risk reduced, by keeping plaque under control every day. Prevention is not only about brushing the visible parts of the teeth. It also means cleaning carefully around the gum line and between the teeth, where plaque often builds up.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. Take your time and make sure you clean along the gum line, not just the biting surfaces of the teeth. A soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush can help remove plaque effectively without damaging the gums.
Toothbrushing alone does not clean properly between the teeth. Interdental brushes, floss or other recommended cleaning aids should be used daily. For many adults, interdental brushes are especially useful because they clean the spaces where gum disease commonly starts.
Regular dental check-ups help identify gum problems early. Your dentist or hygienist can check for bleeding, gum pocketing, tartar build-up, gum recession and signs of bone loss. Early treatment is usually simpler and more effective than waiting until symptoms become severe.
Smoking is a major risk factor for gum disease. It can make periodontal disease worse and can also reduce the success of treatment. Smoking may also hide some warning signs, such as bleeding gums, which means the disease can progress without obvious symptoms.
Some health conditions, especially diabetes, can increase the risk of gum disease. Keeping diabetes well controlled and telling your dentist about any medical conditions or medications can help them plan the right periodontal care for you.
Plaque can harden into tartar, also called calculus. Once tartar has formed, it cannot be removed by normal brushing at home. It needs to be removed professionally by a dentist, hygienist or periodontist.
The frequency of periodontal maintenance depends on the severity of your gum disease, your risk factors, and how stable your gums are after treatment. There is no single schedule that is right for every person.
Many people with a history of periodontitis need periodontal maintenance every three months. Others with mild, stable gum disease may be advised to attend every four to six months. If the disease is advanced, unstable or difficult to control, appointments may be needed more frequently at first.
Periodontal maintenance is different from a routine dental check-up. It is focused on controlling gum disease and preventing it from returning or progressing. During these visits, the dental professional may check pocket depths, assess bleeding, remove plaque and tartar, clean below the gum line where needed, and review your home cleaning technique.
Your maintenance interval may change over time. If your gums become healthier and remain stable, your dentist or periodontist may increase the time between appointments. If bleeding, deeper pockets or tartar build-up return, they may recommend shorter intervals again.
Periodontal treatment usually starts with a detailed assessment. This may include measuring the spaces between the teeth and gums, checking for bleeding, reviewing X-rays, assessing tooth mobility, and identifying risk factors such as smoking or diabetes.
The main non-surgical treatment is often called scaling and root planing, root surface debridement, or deep cleaning. This involves removing plaque, tartar and bacteria from above and below the gum line. In some cases, local anaesthetic may be used to make the treatment more comfortable.
After treatment, the gums are reviewed to see how well they have responded. If the gum pockets reduce and bleeding improves, the condition may move into a maintenance phase. If some areas remain deep or active, further treatment may be needed.
A periodontist is a dentist who specialises in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease. They focus on the gums, bone and supporting structures around the teeth. They may also be involved in dental implant treatment and the management of complex gum problems.
Periodontists often treat patients with moderate to advanced gum disease, severe gum recession, complex medical risk factors, or cases that have not responded fully to routine dental or hygienist care.
A periodontist can carry out a detailed gum assessment. This may include measuring gum pockets, checking gum recession, assessing bone levels on X-rays, identifying areas of inflammation, and deciding how advanced the disease is.
They may carry out deep cleaning below the gum line to remove plaque, tartar and bacteria from the root surfaces. This is often one of the first stages of periodontal treatment.
If gum disease is advanced, a periodontist may recommend more complex treatment. This can include gum surgery, pocket reduction procedures, bone grafting, gum grafting or regenerative treatment where appropriate.
After active treatment, a periodontist can help create a maintenance plan. This is designed to reduce the risk of the disease returning or progressing. Maintenance may include regular professional cleaning, monitoring pocket depths, checking bleeding levels and improving home care techniques.
Some periodontists also place and maintain dental implants. Because they specialise in the gums and bone around teeth, they are often involved in planning implant treatment, especially where bone or gum support is a concern.
You should arrange a dental appointment if you notice any of the following signs:
Some people have periodontal disease without obvious pain. This is why regular dental check-ups are important, even if your mouth feels fine.
Yes, many people can keep their teeth with periodontal disease, especially when it is diagnosed and treated early. The key is controlling the infection, reducing inflammation, improving daily cleaning and attending regular maintenance appointments.
The long-term outcome depends on several factors, including how advanced the disease is, how much bone support has already been lost, whether you smoke, your general health, and how consistently you follow your maintenance plan.
Even when periodontal disease cannot be fully reversed, it can often be stabilised. This means the gums become healthier, bleeding reduces, and further damage is slowed or stopped.
Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, can often go away with improved oral hygiene and professional cleaning. Periodontitis, the more advanced form of periodontal disease, usually does not go away on its own and cannot normally be completely reversed once bone loss has occurred.
However, periodontal disease can often be treated, controlled and stabilised. With professional periodontal care, good home cleaning, regular maintenance visits and control of risk factors, many people can protect their gums and keep their teeth for the long term.
If you think you may have periodontal disease, the best step is to book an appointment with a dentist, hygienist or periodontist. Early treatment gives you the best chance of stopping the disease before more serious damage occurs.
87 Northcote Road
Battersea,
London,
SW11 6PL
Call us today on 0207 223 7096
