[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/periodontal-disease-can-it-be-cured\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/periodontal-disease-can-it-be-cured\/","headline":"Periodontal Disease – Can it be Cured?","name":"Periodontal Disease – Can it be Cured?","description":"Can gum disease be cured? Explore the stages of periodontal disease, symptoms, treatments, and the importance of early intervention.","datePublished":"2023-02-24","dateModified":"2026-03-16","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/author\/jeremy\/#Person","name":"Jeremy Johnson","url":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/author\/jeremy\/","identifier":2,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4feffc5d95566eb3f006763a94fe8101092a8fd889afeafb3ded33b6b5e5cb88?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4feffc5d95566eb3f006763a94fe8101092a8fd889afeafb3ded33b6b5e5cb88?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Today's Dental","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/td-logo.png","url":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/td-logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/gum-bleeding-and-inflammation-close-up-a-man-examined-by-a-dentist-the-diagnosis-of-gingivitis.jpg","url":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/gum-bleeding-and-inflammation-close-up-a-man-examined-by-a-dentist-the-diagnosis-of-gingivitis.jpg","height":408,"width":612},"url":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/periodontal-disease-can-it-be-cured\/","about":["Dental Health","Gum Health","Oral Hygiene"],"wordCount":760,"articleBody":"This is a question we are often asked. Let\u2019s take some time to dig into this to learn more about periodontal disease (gum disease), treatment options, and long-term outlook for someone suffering from periodontal disease.What is periodontal disease?Periodontal disease is gum disease- or disease in the soft tissues surrounding your teeth. It is a common problem that is more likely to happen with poor oral hygiene, and to get worse as you age. You can be more prone to develop gum disease if there is a history of it in your family or if you have certain diseases, hormonal changes\/conditions, or are a smoker. It affects almost half of adults over age 30, and 70% of adults over age 65 in the United States. It starts with inflammation (swelling and redness), which happens when you don\u2019t regularly clean the soft tissues of your mouth and bacteria have a chance to build up. Over time, the bacteria multiples and causes the gums to be sore, red, and even to bleed. If left untreated, periodontitis can cause the gums to erode (shrink back from the original gumline, exposing more of the tooth surface). Ongoing progression of gum erosion can affect the tooth itself and the bones in your jaw, which can eventually result in tooth loss.What are the symptoms?When your gums are healthy, they are pink, firm to the touch, and wrap around the bottoms of your teeth to hold them snugly in place. When you have gum disease, you\u2019re likely to experience:Gums that look red or purple in colorSwelling \u2013 gums look puffyBleedingRecession (gums pulling away from normal gumline, exposing more tooth)Tenderness or pain when brushing, flossing, chewing, or with touchNew or worsening gaps, loose, or missing teethVisible pus (yellow or white looking fluid buildup) in the gums- a sign of infectionA change in the way your bite fits togetherWhat are the treatments?Treatments are available to help manage gum disease. The best treatment for you will depend on the extent and severity of your gum disease. The stages of periodontal disease are:Gingivitis- gums are red and swollen, but you aren\u2019t seeing any other of the concerning symptomsMild periodontitis- gums begin to pull away from your teeth, you begin to lose some bone around your teeth, and plaque, tartar, and bacteria can get trapped in spaces where you can\u2019t reach with at-home dental care like brushing and flossingModerate periodontitis- you begin to lose more bone around your teeth, and bacteria seriously affect the soft tissues, making your gums very sore and tender to touchSevere periodontitis- bone loss continues, you may even lose teeth. You have bleeding in your gums, there is pus present around your teeth and gums, and may experience chronic halitosis (bad breath) from the active infection in your mouthBeyond the obvious problems periodontitis can cause in your mouth, it can also negatively affect your overall health. People with gum disease often have generally poorer health than people without gum disease. They have higher risks for cardiovascular and other diseases and can be more prone to experiencing dementia. There are both non-surgical and surgical options available to treat gum disease. The best option for you will depend on the stage of disease. Non-surgical approaches include oral or topical antibiotics, and a deep cleaning procedure called \u201cscaling and root planing\u201d. Surgical options include flap surgery, gum and dental bone grafting, and specialized procedures to promote bone growth and slow the progression of diseased tissue. Your dentist will discuss the most appropriate options for your personal treatment plan. Non-surgical approaches include oral or topical antibiotics, a deep cleaning procedure called ‘scaling and root planing’, and maintaining oral hygiene with methods such as chewing gum.So, can gum disease be cured?\u00a0The unfortunate answer here is no, periodontal disease can\u2019t be cured. However, the good news is gum disease can be managed effectively if caught and treated at early stages. There are options for advanced gum disease but is far more difficult to manage. All gum disease will certainly progress to more severe stages if left untreated. It is always best to prevent periodontitis from developing by practicing good oral hygiene and having regular dental exams and professional cleanings. If you think you have any signs of gum disease, or it has been a long time since you\u2019ve been evaluated by a dentist – call Today\u2019s Dental todayDon\u2019t brush off gum disease, find an Omaha dentist!Contact Us"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Periodontal Disease – Can it be Cured?","item":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/periodontal-disease-can-it-be-cured\/"}]}]