How Long Does it Take for Gingivitis to Go Away?

A question many patients as us is how long does it take for Gingivitis to go away. Gingivitis is a common dental condition, and one that most of the time can be prevented with better dental hygiene and regular dental visits. Gingivitis is gum inflammation. It is caused by a buildup of bacteria in your mouth and along the gumline. When you brush, floss, and get professional teeth cleaning, you remove much of that bacteria and prevent gingivitis.

But when you are not quite taking good care of your teeth – or you struggle with a health condition that makes gum inflammation more likely – your gums can become inflame and red, leading not only to discomfort but potentially long-term damage to your teeth and gums. Gingivitis is a condition that needs to be treated. 

Treatment Time for Gingivitis

Gingivitis leads to bleeding gums, visible redness, and other long-term dental challenges. So when you treat for gingivitis, it is helpful to be able to tell if the treatment is working and when the problem will go away. Keep in mind that some conditions, like diabetes, pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, and others, may increase the likelihood of developing gingivitis and thus may have different treatment times and programs.

But for those with gingivitis due to poor oral hygiene, the average time it takes for gingivitis to go away is about 10 to 14 days after your treatment, along with proper oral healthcare. Keep in mind that there are many, many factors that can change the timeline. For example:

• Severity of the gingivitis.
• If any bone grafts or surgical repair is needed.
• The extent you follow oral healthcare guidelines.

Milder cases of gingivitis can be treated at home, using basic oral hygiene techniques like thorough brushing and flossing. But even then, it may take a while to go away without additional help from Dr. Swanson, as we in our office have several techniques that we can introduce to help speed up the recovery process and provide better results.

Avoid or Treat Gingivitis Early and Fast

Gingivitis can become a progressive disease, one that both gets worse over time and takes longer to treat. That’s why, the moment you notice any red/inflamed gums or bleeding when you brush and floss, it is a good idea to immediately think about the last time you had a dental visit and consider setting up an appointment. Dr. Swanson is always happy to take new patients here in Visalia, and to make sure that we not only check for signs of gingivitis but also quickly treat it.

If you’re ready to schedule your next dental appointment, call us today at 559-732-4543.

We are located at 2310 W Whitendale Ave., Suite C Visalia, CA 93277.