Can You Keep Your Teeth With Periodontal Disease?
Have you been diagnosed with periodontal disease? If so, you may wonder if you can keep your teeth. The good news is that, in many cases, it’s possible, even with gum disease.
In this article, we’ll define periodontal disease, share instances where you can or can’t keep your teeth, and explain how to give yourself the best outcome.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
In a nutshell, periodontal disease is a condition that can affect your gums and the bones that support your teeth. The risk of gum disease increases as you age. It often begins with inflammation and infections, which may cause gums redness, swelling or bleeding. As the disease progresses, the gums pull away from the teeth, and teeth and bone may be lost.
When You Can’t Keep Your Teeth
In many cases, you can keep your teeth if you have gum disease, but there are some instances where tooth loss may be inevitable. Let’s look and see what may prevent you from keeping your teeth.
Advanced Periodontal Disease
When left untreated and allowed to advance, the bacteria can cause significant damage to the gums and bone that supports the teeth.
Severe Gum Recession
When gum disease is present, it can cause gums to recede, exposing the tooth’s root and making it more susceptible to decay and infection. It may also cause the tooth to become loose.
Dental Trauma
When the mouth or teeth have been traumatized, it can cause tooth loss, mainly when periodontal disease is present due to weakened structures that hold your teeth in place.
Poor Dental Hygiene
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease or not, good dental hygiene is crucial to maintaining healthy teeth. Bacteria can continue to cause damage without a proper oral hygiene routine.
Systemic Diseases Affect Periodontal Disease
If you have certain systemic diseases, like diabetes, they can increase the risk of tooth loss when you have gum disease. Some disorders can weaken the immune system, making it more difficult to fight off infections, leading to more severe gum disease.
When You Can Keep Your Teeth
Keeping your teeth when you have gum disease requires you to take action to make sure you maintain good oral health. Let’s look at the following instances so you can begin your journey to your best oral health right now.
Early Diagnosis and Treatment
If gum disease is caught early, it may be possible to treat it effectively without needing extractions. We suggest regular dental check-ups and cleanings to help see problems as early as possible.
Good Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene can go a long way to help prevent further damage and maintain the health of your teeth; it includes flossing and brushing your teeth twice daily. Finish it up by using an antibacterial mouthwash.
Periodontal Therapy
This type of treatment can help manage and even reverse the effects of gum disease by deep cleaning the teeth and gums to remove bacteria and promote healing.
Periodontal Surgery
Surgery may include gum grafting such as Dr. Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique or pocket reduction surgery, which can help repair damage and prevent further disease progression. These surgical treatments for periodontal disease may save teeth that might otherwise need removal.
Your Next Step in Saving Your Teeth
While periodontal disease can be severe, keeping your teeth with the proper treatment and care is often possible. If you have concerns about gum disease or the health of your teeth, be sure to speak with your dentist, who can provide personalized advice and treatment.
You can also make additional lifestyle choices that may improve your oral health. For instance, quitting is the best option to prevent the nicotine from worsening your teeth if you’re a smoker. Also, a good, healthy diet can help keep your teeth strong.
Committing to lifestyle changes, good oral health routines, and regular dental visits will give you the best chance to keep your teeth even if you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease.
Schedule a Periodontal Evaluation Today
If you want more information or wish to make an appointment, call our office at 979-413-4799 or contact us online today.
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