A family member of mine has turned around some serious gum disease with very focused treatment. He uses an ultrasonic toothbrush twice a day and an ultrasonic(?) water pic once a day, very thoroughly. Goes to the dentist 4x per year for deep cleaning. It has been many years since he first got the bad news, prior to that he had never taken the dentist, flossing, etc. seriously. But he got religion in this area and has avoided the very serious consequences. It can be done.