How Long Can You Keep Your Teeth With Periodontal Disease? – Here’s What Experts Say 

You can keep your teeth for a long time even if you have periodontal disease with proper treatment and maintenance. However, the exact duration varies based on the severity of the disease, the effectiveness of treatment, and your commitment to oral hygiene. Here is how long periodontal disease keeps with your teeth according to the stages:

Early Stage:

The good news is that gum disease can often be managed successfully if caught early. With proper care, you can keep your teeth healthy for many years to come. Regular dental check-ups and a good oral hygiene routine are key to keeping gum disease in check.

Moderate Stage: 

With moderate periodontal disease, ongoing treatment, and diligent care are necessary. This includes deep cleanings, possibly scaling and root planing, and possibly surgical interventions. Many people can keep their teeth for the long term if they adhere to these treatments and maintain good oral hygiene.

Advanced Stage: 

If gum disease has progressed significantly and caused damage to your bone and gums, the outlook depends on how severe the damage is and how well you work with your dentist. While it’s possible to save your teeth with intensive treatment and careful follow-up, there’s a higher chance of tooth loss.

How Fast Does Periodontal Disease Progress?

The progression of periodontal disease varies from individual to individual and depends on several factors like oral hygiene habits, genetics, overall health, and lifestyle choices. For example: 

• Early stage Gingivitis can develop within weeks to months if plaque is not effectively removed.
• Moderate Stage gingivitis can progress to periodontitis within several months to a few years if left untreated. The progression speed can be faster in individuals with poor oral hygiene, smoking habits, or systemic conditions like diabetes.
• Advanced Stage periodontitis can progress rapidly or slowly depending on the individual’s response to bacterial plaque, immune system, and risk factors. Without treatment, significant bone and tooth loss can occur within a few years.

Preventative Measures To Protect Teeth

Daily Oral Hygiene: 

Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to remove plaque from between the teeth and under the gumline.

Regular Dental Visits: 

Schedule dental check-ups and professional cleanings every six months, or more frequently if recommended by your dentist.

Healthy Diet: 

Eat a balanced diet low in sugar and high in nutrients that support oral health, such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.

Quit Smoking: 

Avoid tobacco use, as it significantly increases the risk of developing periodontal disease and can exacerbate its progression.

Use Antibacterial Mouthwash: 

Incorporate an antibacterial mouthwash into your daily routine to help reduce plaque and bacteria.

Manage Health Conditions: 

Keep systemic conditions, such as diabetes, under control, as they can affect gum health.

Stay Hydrated: 

Drink plenty of water to help wash away food particles and bacteria, and to keep your mouth moist.

Regular Self-Examinations: 

Check your gums regularly for signs of gum disease, such as redness, swelling, bleeding, or recession, and seek dental advice if any symptoms appear.

 

 

How Can I Diagnose?

Diagnosing periodontal disease involves a combination of self-assessment, professional examination, and diagnostic tests. Here’s how it can be diagnosed:

Self-Assessment

Look for signs such as red, swollen, or bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, receding gums, loose teeth, and pain when chewing. Check if your gums are pulling away from your teeth, making them look longer.

Professional Examination

Schedule a visit to your dentist or periodontist for a thorough examination. The dentist uses a small, ruler-like probe to measure the depth of the gum pockets around each tooth. Pockets deeper than 3 millimeters can indicate periodontal disease.

Diagnostic Tests

Dental X-rays help to assess the bone supporting your teeth and detect bone loss, which is a key indicator of periodontal disease. Detailed recording of pocket depths, bleeding points, and gum recession levels to monitor the condition of your gums over time.

Bacterial Analysis: 

In some cases, your dentist may take a sample of your saliva or plaque to identify specific bacteria causing the infection.

Treatment Option

Gingivitis Treatment

1. Professional Cleaning: 

A routine dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup above and below the gumline.

2. Improved Oral Hygiene: 

Daily brushing and flossing to remove plaque and prevent gingivitis from progressing.

3. Antimicrobial Mouthwash: 

Use an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce bacteria and control plaque.

4. Regular Dental Visits: 

Regular check-ups and cleanings every six months or as recommended by your dentist.

Early Periodontitis Treatment

1. Scaling and Root Planing: 

Deep cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooth the root surfaces.

2. Antibiotics: 

Topical or oral antibiotics to control bacterial infection. This can include antibiotic mouth rinses or gels applied to the periodontal pockets.

3. Improved Oral Care: 

To keep gum disease at bay, it’s important to step up your oral care routine. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and don’t forget to floss.

Moderate Periodontitis Treatment

1. Scaling and Root Planing: 

As with early periodontitis, this deep cleaning procedure is necessary to remove plaque and tartar from below the gum line.

2. Antibiotic Therapy: 

Systemic or locally applied antibiotics to control infection.

3. Laser Therapy: 

Use of lasers to remove infected tissue and reduce pocket depth.

4. Periodontal Maintenance: 

More frequent cleanings, typically every 3 to 4 months, to maintain gum health.

5. Surgical Options: 

If non-surgical treatments are ineffective, procedures like flap surgery may be necessary to remove tartar deposits in deep pockets and reduce the size of the pockets.

Advanced Periodontitis Treatment

1. Flap Surgery: 

Lifting the gums back to remove tartar and then suturing them in place to reduce pocket depth.

2. Bone Grafts: 

Using bone from your own body, a synthetic source, or a donor to replace bone destroyed by periodontitis.

3. Soft Tissue Grafts: 

Using tissue from another part of your mouth or a donor to cover exposed roots and prevent further gum recession.

4. Guided Tissue Regeneration: 

Placing a small piece of mesh-like material between the bone and gum tissue prevents the gum from growing into the area where the bone should be, allowing bone and connective tissue to regrow.

5. Tissue-Stimulating Proteins: 

A special gel is applied to the diseased tooth root to stimulate healthy bone and tissue growth.

 

 

Will I Lose My Teeth If I Have Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease does not necessarily mean you will lose your teeth, but it significantly increases the risk if left untreated. While periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss, early detection, effective treatment, and diligent maintenance can significantly reduce this risk and help keep your teeth.

FAQs

Is There Hope For Periodontitis?

Yes, there is hope for periodontitis. With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, periodontitis can be managed effectively. Treatments can help control the disease and prevent further damage. Consistent oral hygiene and regular dental visits are a must for maintaining oral health and managing periodontitis.

Can I Live A Normal Life With Periodontitis?

Yes, you can live a normal life with periodontitis. Managing the condition with proper treatment and maintaining good oral hygiene are key. Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings help keep the disease under control. With the right care, most people with periodontitis can continue to enjoy a healthy, functional mouth and a normal lifestyle.

Do A Lot Of People Have Periodontitis?

Yes, a significant number of people have periodontitis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of American adults aged 30 and older have some form of periodontal disease. The prevalence increases with age, making it a common oral health issue among the population.