Let’s face it: Teeth are weird.
At least that is how it seems some of the time. Picture this: It’s the day of the big game, and you’re going all out on the snack front. Throughout the day you tuck into chicken wings, beef jerky, and the toughest burger you’ve ever had the dubious pleasure of dominating. Not once do your teeth complain, not even so much as a twinge of pain. Those are some tough teeth, you think. It’s true that your teeth are tough by design, says Shrewsbury, MA dentist Dr. Todd Pizzi, so how is it that something as simple as bleeding gums can eventually cause your teeth to fall out?
Not so Tough, After All
People have much in common with their teeth. They may be strong in one way and weak in another. They’re also capable of deception. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, which might lead you to believe that your teeth are invincible. Wrong, says Dr. Pizzi. The enamel covering your teeth protects it from decay, but it affords no protection against periodontal disease. Gum disease begins as an infection and usually brought on by poor oral hygiene. However, women who menstruating or pregnant face a higher risk of the disease as a result of fluctuations in their hormone levels.
Periodontal Disease and Tooth Loss
If gingivitis is left untreated, the infection will gradually progress to a more destructive form of the disease, periodontitis. Unlike gingivitis, the damages inflicted by periodontitis are irreversible. After destroying the gum tissue, the disease moves on to ravage the underlying jawbone. The jawbone becomes less dense as a result, and it can no longer support the roots of your teeth that held them in place. You can see why screening for periodontal disease is an essential part of your comprehensive dental examination. If you detect symptoms of gum disease, we urge you to seek treatment as soon as possible. These symptoms include:
- Gums that bleed easily, such as while flossing or brushing your teeth
- A persistent bad taste in your mouth
- Bad breath that doesn’t go away
- Teeth that are loose
- A receding gum line
- Red, puffy gum tissue
About Your Shrewsbury Dentists
To learn more about our services, or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, contact our Shrewsbury, MA dentist office at (508) 842-8838. We welcome residents of Shrewsbury, Boylston, North and South Grafton, Milford, and the surrounding communities.
