How long does it take for periodontitis to heal on its own?

Periodontitis cannot heal on its own. Without intervention, the inflammation will continue to progress and destroy periodontal tissues. Only through standardized treatment can the condition be controlled. If symptoms such as gum bleeding or bad breath occur, seek medical attention promptly to avoid delays in treatment.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by long-term plaque accumulation, which damages periodontal supporting tissues such as the gums and alveolar bone. Once these tissues are damaged, they cannot repair themselves—for example, absorbed alveolar bone does not regenerate naturally, and gum recession is difficult to reverse. Without treatment, the inflammation will progressively worsen and will not resolve spontaneously over time.

If periodontitis is left untreated, initial symptoms such as redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums may gradually progress to periodontal pocket formation and further alveolar bone loss, eventually leading to tooth mobility and tooth loss. It may also cause problems such as halitosis (bad breath) and difficulty chewing, and even impact overall health by increasing the risk of other systemic diseases. At this stage, treatment becomes significantly more challenging.

In daily oral care, antimicrobial mouthwash can be used to assist in cleaning, and interdental brushes should be used 1–2 times per week to clean between teeth. Avoid frequent consumption of overly sweet or sticky foods to reduce plaque buildup. Regular professional periodontal deep cleaning at a dental clinic is recommended, rather than routine scaling alone.