When we think about the impact of gum disease, we may picture teeth that appear longer, sore and red gums, and bleeding in the gingival tissues. But if you don’t seek treatment, then the advanced stage of the disease could develop, which is connected to tooth loss. In today’s blog, your Encinitas/San Diego, CA, periodontist talks about the link between periodontitis and tooth loss.
The Causes of Gum Disease
Periodontal disease occurs when the gums become irritated and inflamed, also known as gingivitis. At this stage, treatment could reverse the inflammation but if this doesn’t happen, the inflammation will grow more severe. Eventually, the tissues pull away from the teeth and form deep pockets for disease-causing bacteria to enter, which causes the disease to develop. Once it does, there is no cure but treatment could manage it and prevent the later stage, which itself is linked to adult tooth loss!
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is the advanced stage of the disease, the one that severs the tissues connecting your teeth and gums. Which means the risk of missing teeth increases significantly, and this is actually the number one cause of adult tooth loss! When you lose teeth, this could impact how you eat and speak, and could lead to misalignment and jaw joint strain, which in turn causes TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). The body will also stop the flow of calcium and phosphorus to the jaw, which causes the tissue around the missing root to break down. You then suffer from an aged appearance and lost teeth.
Dental Implants
How do we address your periodontitis-related tooth loss? First, we will offer care to manage the disease, bringing it into a state that prevents further tooth loss or comfortable symptoms, like red, sore, and bleeding tissues. Once we’ve managed the disease properly, we can discuss tooth replacement with dental implants. These are inserted into the jawbone and act as new roots, which prevents the loss of mass and density in your jaw. Our team then attaches abutments and crowns to complete individual implants, or abutments and a denture for more advanced missing teeth.
If you have any questions about how our team will diagnose and treat issues like periodontitis and lost teeth, then contact our team today. We’re ready to help you enjoy a complete smile, with lifelike dental implants and periodontal care, so your smile stays healthy and whole.
Speak With Your Encinitas/San Diego, CA Periodontist About Avoiding Missing Teeth
Our team wants to help you maintain strong and beautiful smiles, free of disease. If you would like to find out more about preventing the loss of your teeth, then please call Dr. Kania’s laser periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.