Can Gum Disease Be Reversed?
It depends on the stage. UK guidance says gingivitis, early gum inflammation, is reversible by reducing plaque at and below the gum line. In periodontitis the bone loss is largely irreversible, but treatment aims to stop it getting worse, or in some cases only to slow it. This page covers each stage, regenerative surgery, what the evidence says about home remedies, and what stops gum disease progressing.
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Clinically reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, dentist · GDC 301711
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It does not replace an examination or treatment by a dentist.
Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, GDC 301711, a General Dental Practitioner and the principal dentist at Deepcar Dental Care, reviewed this page. His qualifications include BDS, BSc (Hons) and MSc (Leeds).
Is gum disease reversible at every stage?
No. In UK guidance, gingivitis is reversible, while periodontitis causes bone loss that is largely irreversible, though treatment aims to stop or slow its progress.
Delivering Better Oral Health (DBOH), the UK prevention toolkit, defines gingivitis as inflammation contained within the gum that does not reach the tooth's attachment, and periodontitis as inflammation that results in loss of that attachment.
Can gingivitis be reversed?
Yes. DBOH states that gingivitis is reversible by reducing plaque at and below the gum line.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust adds that plaque which hardens into calculus (tartar) cannot be removed by brushing and needs removing by a dental clinician. Our page on gingivitis covers how it develops and settles.
Can gum disease be stopped once it becomes periodontitis?
Periodontitis treatment aims to stop it getting worse, or in some cases only to slow it, but is not generally able to reverse bone loss.
Successful treatment will reduce bleeding and the depth of pockets, Leeds Teaching Hospitals explains. After deep cleaning below the gum, the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) sets pocket closure as the endpoint: pockets of 4 mm or less that do not bleed on probing. Its guideline adds that the endpoints of therapy may not be achievable in all teeth in severe stage III periodontitis.
In British Society of Periodontology (BSP) terms, periodontitis is 'currently stable' with bleeding under 10%, pockets 4 mm or less and no bleeding at 4 mm sites. Our guide to how gum disease is staged and diagnosed defines the other statuses, and our periodontitis page explains its treatment.
Can bone lost to gum disease grow back?
Bone lost to periodontitis does not generally grow back: UK guidance calls it largely irreversible, so the stage cannot reduce, though it may increase.
Regenerative surgery can regain some lost attachment, but European guidance recommends it for particular defects.
What can regenerative surgery achieve?
The EFP recommends regenerative surgery for teeth with residual deep pockets associated with intrabony defects 3 mm or deeper, after deep cleaning. Across 22 trials in 1,000 patients, it gained a mean 1.34 mm more attachment and 1.20 mm more pocket reduction than open flap surgery, which the EFP deems clinically relevant. The size of the benefit varied between trials, and adverse events included wound failure and post-operative morbidity.
For molars with residual pockets and Class II furcation involvement (bone lost between the roots), the EFP recommends regenerative surgery on lower molars and suggests it on the cheek side of upper molars. Trials in lower molars showed added benefits over open flap surgery, including horizontal bone gain, with adverse events mainly of local wound failure. The EFP recommends no gum surgery for patients not achieving and maintaining adequate cleaning at home.
Questions about this treatment? Book online or call the practice.
What does the evidence say about natural and home remedies?
Systematic reviews and UK and European guidance have assessed several natural and home remedies; each source's finding and its limits are below.
| Home remedy | What the evidence found |
|---|---|
| Oil pulling (swishing edible oil) | A 2024 review of 25 trials found a probable benefit for gum health, with very low certainty evidence; chlorhexidine mouthwash reduced plaque more. Trials lasted 7 to 45 days, and over half involved people with no reported oral health issues. |
| Herbal, aloe vera, green tea or polyphenol rinses | DBOH reports that reviews of these rinses showed results similar to those for antiseptic rinses with essential oils or cetylpyridinium chloride, but gives no certainty grade for them. For the antiseptic rinses, added to brushing and cleaning between the teeth, it reports low to moderate certainty evidence of reduced gum bleeding and plaque. |
| Vitamin C supplements | A 2021 review of six trials found improved bleeding in gingivitis, but no clinically significant pocket improvement at 3 months when added to deep cleaning for periodontitis. With limited evidence, no recommendation could be made for adding it to deep cleaning. |
| Probiotics | The EFP suggests not using them alongside deep cleaning: across five trials, the extra pocket reduction was not statistically significant and of limited clinical relevance. |
What stops gum disease progressing?
Leeds Teaching Hospitals calls daily removal of plaque yourself at home the most important way to prevent and treat gum disease. Treatment will only be successful if you clean your teeth effectively, it adds.
For periodontitis, the EFP guideline starts with oral hygiene coaching, professional cleaning above the gum line and control of risk factors, including stopping smoking and diabetes control. It then recommends cleaning below the gum line to reduce pocket depths, gum inflammation and the number of diseased sites. Deep cleaning is that therapeutic treatment, which differs from a routine scale and polish.
Our page on smoking and gum disease explains smoking's effect, and for daily cleaning methods you can browse this section of prevention guides.
When should you see a dentist about your gums?
NHS guidance gives these actions; if you do not have a dentist or cannot get an emergency appointment, call 111 or visit 111 online:
- Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth or eat hard foods, gums that are painful and swollen, bad breath, or a child with sore, bleeding gums: see a dentist.
- Gum disease, in you or your child, with other symptoms such as very sore and swollen gums, teeth becoming loose or falling out, ulcers or red patches in your mouth, or a lump in your mouth or on your lip: ask for an urgent dentist appointment.
- Toothache that lasts more than 2 days, does not go away with painkillers, or comes with a high temperature, pain when you bite, red gums, a bad taste or a swollen cheek or jaw: see a dentist.
- Toothache with swelling around your eye or neck, or swelling in your mouth or neck that makes it difficult to breathe, swallow or speak: go to A&E, but do not drive; ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
How much does gum disease treatment cost?
Non-surgical periodontal therapy, treatment of advanced gum disease, gum surgery, gum grafting and regenerative gum treatment have no line on the practice's current fee list. Neither do BPE screening, full six-point periodontal charting or smoking cessation advice. Ask us about the cost.
Frequently asked questions
Is gum disease curable?
Gingivitis can be prevented and treated by thorough oral hygiene, but periodontitis is a chronic, long-term condition, Leeds Teaching Hospitals explains. After treatment, clinical gum health can be restored, the 2017 World Workshop consensus states, but a treated, stable periodontitis patient with current gum health remains at increased risk of recurrent periodontitis and must be closely monitored.
Can gum disease relapse after treatment?
Yes. Leeds Teaching Hospitals says gum disease can relapse, so even if all pockets resolve after treatment, regular attendance for monitoring and support matters: it allows relapse to be identified quickly. Where pockets remain, regular lifelong supportive treatment aims to reduce the rate of progression.
What gum care is available at Deepcar Dental Care?
Gum care at Deepcar Dental Care includes BPE (basic periodontal examination) screening at every examination, full six-point periodontal charting and non-surgical periodontal therapy. It also includes smoking cessation advice. Treatment of advanced gum disease is done in house, as are gum surgery, gum grafting and regenerative gum treatment.
Book a consultation.
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Deepcar Dental Care is at 334 Manchester Road, Deepcar, Sheffield, S36 2RH, with free parking directly outside. Our main gum disease page explains how gum disease develops, and you can see what patients say in our patient reviews.
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Deepcar, Sheffield S36 2RH
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