Curative Care: How Long Does it Take to Heal Gingivitis?

Have you noticed that your gums are darker and more tender or that there’s blood in the sink after brushing and flossing? These could be early signs of gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Recognizing these signs early allows you to schedule an appointment with your dentist to address it before it progresses into periodontitis. This more advanced stage can cause receding gumlines and can eventually lead to tooth loss.

Fortunately, it’s often preventable with an early diagnosis and the right treatment. But how long does it usually take to clear up once you’ve taken the right steps? If you’re curious, continue reading to find out!

What Is Gingivitis?

This early version of gum disease occurs when unhealthy bacteria build up along your gumline or in between your teeth. Your body detects this threat and triggers an inflammatory response to fight infection. As a result, your gums become red, swollen, and sore and tend to bleed slightly after you complete your daily dental hygiene routine.

How Is Gingivitis Treated?

Thankfully, gingivitis can often be reversible if it’s caught early enough to be treated before it can evolve into periodontitis. To keep it from getting worse, you and your dentist need to eliminate as much plaque as possible. Typically, that involves two components.

First, you’ll need a professional cleaning. Your dental team has access to high-quality instruments and products that can remove even the most stubborn plaque and residue deposits. They can remove significantly more buildup than you can alone at home to ensure your gum disease does not progress.

Then, you may also need to improve your at-home oral regimen. If you don’t already, it’s important to brush and floss twice daily. It also helps to ensure you’re using the right products. For example, if your toothbrush is too large to sufficiently scrub all the surfaces of your teeth, find one that’s small enough to move more easily around your mouth. Also, it’s often helpful to use antibacterial toothpaste to fight unwanted germs.

Also, if you have trouble with traditional floss, you can opt for an alternative that’s easier for you to use, like special floss picks or a Waterpik.

How Long Does It Take to Resolve Gingivitis?

If you take immediate action and get your teeth cleaned as soon as you notice a problem, you can reverse gingivitis within about two weeks. You’ll know whether you’ve succeeded when your gums return to their normal pink color and you notice less bleeding when caring for your teeth. If you continue to experience discomfort, swelling, or sensitivity in your gums that persists or gets worse, you should contact your dentist to figure out the best next steps.

If you suspect you might have gingivitis, you can take proactive steps to upgrade your at-home dental hygiene routine now to prevent periodontitis!

About the Author

Dr. Jeramiah Paylor takes pride in helping families improve their lives by building happy, healthy smiles. He earned his undergraduate degree at Fort Lewis College and then achieved his dental doctorate from the University of Colorado. Now, he’s dedicated to offering a full array of services to patients of all ages under one roof, including preventative care and gum disease therapy. If your gums are red, tender, or swollen and you’d like to schedule a checkup and cleaning, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (720) 776-4900.