Your gums frame your smile and support your teeth, so the presence of untreated periodontal disease could lead to tooth loss and painful symptoms. Which is why we offer periodontal dental care to protect the health and beauty of your smile. In today’s blog, your Shrewsbury, MA, dentist talks about how we address gum disease and complications like tooth loss.
The Causes of Gum Disease
How does a smile develop gum disease? It begins with inflammation, or gingivitis, which can be caused by a number of different factors. Gingivitis could be the result of poor brushing and flossing habits, infrequent cleanings, and a diet high in sugar and starch, all factors that lead to plaque buildup, which in turns irritates the gum tissues. Tobacco use is another factor, as is inflammatory illness, certain medications, or a family history of the disease. As the inflammation grows in severity, this could cause tissue to pull away from the teeth and form pockets for disease-causing bacteria to enter, which cause periodontal disease.
The Warning Signs
You may initially notice your gums feel sore and appear redder than usual. The tissues could be sensitive and bleed easily when you brush or floss. The tissues could also swell or even recede, which makes the teeth appear long and uneven. When you begin to experience one or more of these potential symptoms, you need to reach out to our team right away. Periodontal disease cannot be cured, but care to manage it can protect you from uncomfortable symptoms and eventually, tooth loss.
The Link to Tooth Loss
How does gum disease cause tooth loss? Well, the advanced stage, known as periodontitis, can cause the tissue connecting your teeth and gums to break down, which leads to loose and missing teeth. In fact, this is the number one cause of adult tooth loss. When you lose your teeth, this can cause embarrassment, limit your meal options, and even make clear speech difficult. The body will also stop sending doses of calcium and phosphorus to the jaw around the missing roots, which leads to further tooth loss and an aged appearance as the jaw continues to deteriorate and shrink. But we can offer care to manage the disease, and even replace missing teeth with advanced dental implants!
Deep Cleanings
In the early stages of the disease, or even in the gingivitis stage, we could help with a deep cleaning. Also known as a scaling and root planing, this involves removing all plaque and tartar from the teeth, roots, and beneath the gum line with an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool. We could require one visit to complete the procedure, or up to four, depending on the severity of your buildup. Our team will numb your smile so you’re comfortable the entire time, and we will polish the teeth to not only brighten them, but also limit how much plaque and tartar can adhere to them before your next cleaning. We may recommend a routine cleaning every three to four months as needed. Our team could also discuss treatments to remove diseased tissues in more severe cases, or to conduct gum grafts to cover the exposed portions of the roots when gum recession occurs, so you’re less likely to develop tooth decay and infection, and feel more confident in the appearance of your smile.
Dental Implants
Unlike traditional bridges and dentures, dental implants are not supported with suction or crowns. Instead, our team will insert the dental implants into the jaw directly, choosing the right angle, position, and depth to ensure the stability of your new roots, and to encourage new tissue growth, so you avoid the breakdown of mass and density in your jaw. We can then complete an individual one with a crown, or use several posts to support a full set of dentures, so you have a complete smile again. This prevents you from developing an older appearance, and allows you to eat your favorite foods again and smile with confidence.
If you have any questions about how our team will diagnose and treat issues like gum disease, or about replacing one or more missing teeth with durable and long-lasting dental implants, then contact our team today. We’re ready to protect the health, beauty, and stability of your smile.
Enjoy Healthier Smiles From Our Shrewsbury Team!
Our team wants to help protect the framework of your smile, so you avoid issues like tooth loss. We can also offer durable and long-lasting dental implants to address the gaps in your smile. To learn more about our solutions for periodontal troubles or to schedule your next appointment, give us a call at Modern Dentistry Of Shrewsbury at (508)842-8838 today!
