Infected gums can usually be treated, and the right approach depends on how far the infection has progressed. Mild gum infections (gingivitis) often respond to improved home care within a week, while moderate to severe infections need professional treatment and may take several weeks to months to fully resolve. Here’s what works at each stage and what to expect.
How to Tell What You’re Dealing With
Gum infections exist on a spectrum. At the mild end is gingivitis: red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush or floss. Gingivitis is reversible because it hasn’t damaged the bone or tissue that holds your teeth in place. At this stage, the pockets between your gums and teeth measure 3 millimeters or less.
Once the infection advances to periodontitis, those pockets deepen beyond 3 millimeters, and you start losing the tissue attachment that anchors your teeth. Early periodontitis involves pockets up to 4 millimeters, moderate cases reach 5 millimeters, and severe cases go to 6 millimeters or more. At that point, teeth can loosen and bone loss becomes visible on X-rays. Untreated periodontitis can also worsen other chronic conditions like diabetes.
The signs that an infection has moved beyond gingivitis include persistent bad breath, gums pulling away from your teeth, pus between teeth and gums, pain when chewing, and teeth that feel loose or shift position.
Home Care That Actually Helps
For mild gum infections, consistent home care is the first and most important treatment. Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, angling the bristles toward the gumline. Floss daily, getting below the gumline on each tooth. These aren’t just prevention tips. For gingivitis, they’re genuinely therapeutic, and you can see improvement within a week.
Saltwater Rinses
A simple saltwater rinse helps reduce bacteria and soothe inflamed tissue. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water. If your gums are very tender, start with half a teaspoon for the first day or two. Swish for 30 to 60 seconds and spit. You can do this several times a day, especially after eating.
Diluted Hydrogen Peroxide
A hydrogen peroxide rinse can also reduce oral bacteria. Start with the standard 3% concentration you find at drugstores, then mix equal parts peroxide and water to bring it down to 1.5%. Swish for 30 to 60 seconds, and never swallow it. Ingesting undiluted hydrogen peroxide can burn internal tissues and cause internal bleeding, so keep the bottle away from children and always dilute before use.
These rinses are supplements to brushing and flossing, not replacements. They can’t reach below the gumline the way a toothbrush and floss can, and they won’t remove hardened tartar.
Prescription Mouth Rinse
Your dentist may prescribe a chlorhexidine rinse, which works by directly reducing bacteria levels in the mouth. You use it twice daily, morning and evening, after brushing. It’s more effective than over-the-counter mouthwashes for active gum infections.
There are trade-offs, though. Chlorhexidine can change how food and drinks taste, stain your teeth and tongue, and increase tartar buildup. It can also permanently stain tooth-colored fillings on your front teeth. For these reasons, it’s typically prescribed for a limited period rather than long-term use.
Deep Cleaning: Scaling and Root Planing
When tartar has built up below the gumline, no amount of brushing or rinsing will remove it. That’s where scaling and root planing comes in. This is the standard professional treatment for gum infections that have progressed beyond basic gingivitis.
During the procedure, your dentist or hygienist numbs your gums with local anesthesia, then uses hand instruments or ultrasonic tools to scrape plaque and tartar from your teeth, both above and below the gumline. They then smooth the root surfaces so your gums can reattach more easily. The whole process takes one to two hours, sometimes split across two appointments (one for each side of your mouth).
Your dentist may also place antibiotics directly around the tooth roots or prescribe oral antibiotics to take afterward. Without insurance, a deep cleaning typically costs $150 to $350, potentially more if anesthesia is needed. Most dental insurance plans cover a significant portion since it’s considered medically necessary rather than cosmetic.
After a deep cleaning, expect some soreness and sensitivity for a few days. Moderate infections usually show noticeable improvement within two to three weeks.
Antibiotics for Gum Infections
Antibiotics aren’t always necessary for gum infections, but when the infection is spreading, causing significant swelling, or not responding to cleaning alone, your dentist will prescribe them. The most common choice is amoxicillin, taken three times a day for 3 to 7 days. Penicillin is another first-line option.
If those don’t work, your dentist may switch to a stronger combination antibiotic. For people allergic to penicillin, alternatives like azithromycin or clindamycin are typically used instead. In stubborn infections, a second antibiotic that targets a different type of bacteria may be added to the regimen.
Finish the full course even if your symptoms improve early. Stopping antibiotics partway through allows surviving bacteria to repopulate and potentially become harder to treat.
Laser and Surgical Options
For severe periodontitis with deep pockets and bone loss, your dentist may recommend surgery. Traditional flap surgery involves lifting the gums back, cleaning the roots, and then stitching the gums into a tighter fit around the teeth. Recovery typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.
A newer alternative is laser gum treatment (sometimes called LANAP), which uses a laser to remove diseased tissue and bacteria without cutting. Clinical trials have reported success rates of about 88% or higher. Compared to traditional surgery, laser treatment causes less pain, carries a lower risk of the disease returning, and results in less tooth loss. Recovery time is dramatically shorter: most patients are back to normal within 24 hours rather than weeks.
Laser treatment isn’t available at every dental office and tends to cost more upfront, but the faster recovery and lower complication rate make it worth asking about if surgery is on the table.
What Recovery Looks Like
How quickly your gums heal depends on the severity of the infection and the treatment used:
- Mild infections (gingivitis): With improved brushing, flossing, and a professional cleaning, healing can begin within a week.
- Moderate infections: After deep cleaning and possible antibiotics, expect two to three weeks before you see noticeable improvement.
- Severe infections requiring surgery: Full recovery can take several weeks to months, with gradual tightening of gum tissue around the teeth over time.
During recovery, stick with soft foods for the first few days after any professional procedure, keep up with gentle brushing and rinsing, and avoid smoking. Tobacco use is one of the strongest risk factors for gum disease and significantly slows healing.
Preventing Reinfection
Gum disease has a high recurrence rate if the habits that caused it don’t change. After treatment, the maintenance routine matters as much as the treatment itself. Brush at least twice daily, floss once a day, and keep regular dental cleaning appointments, which your dentist may schedule every three to four months instead of every six months if you’ve had periodontitis.
Certain factors make reinfection more likely: smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, dry mouth from medications, and hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause. If any of these apply to you, more frequent professional cleanings become especially important. Gum disease is a chronic condition in many people, meaning it can be managed effectively but requires ongoing attention rather than a one-time fix.