How Does Gum Disease Cause Tooth Loss?
July 27, 2018
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, advanced gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. The progressive disease, if not treated, can advance to the point that it destroys the foundation of your teeth, your gums and the bones that support them. Treatment of the disease in the earlier stages can help to prevent gum disease from reaching the advanced stages. Tooth loss in Kansas City, KS, can be prevented by helping to prevent, treat, and manage gum disease.
What Causes the Tooth Loss?
Periodontitis is the most advanced stage of gum (periodontal) disease caused by plaque bacterial build-up above and below the gum line. Harmful bacteria can irritate the areas, which can ultimately lead to irreversible damage to the bone and tissues that support your teeth. This kind of damage can cause your gums to begin receding from your teeth to create ‘periodontal pockets’ where more plaque can build up. As infections and irritation continues, your teeth’s supportive structures can become so eroded that the teeth can fall out or require dental extraction.
Prevention and Management
Gum disease is common, but certainly not inevitable. Gum disease is highly preventable. The key to prevention is controlling the harmful bacteria. Controlling bacteria requires brushing and flossing at least twice a day and visiting your dentist routinely for exams and cleanings. If you do end up developing gum disease, early treatment may be able to reverse it. In the more advanced stages, it cannot be reversed but its damage can be mitigated by regular treatment and management.
Treatment in the Serious Stages
If gum disease is allowed to progress to the point of tooth loss, there are still options to restore your smile. The lost teeth can be replaced with dental implants. Your gum disease will need to be regularly managed to stop the damage and to prevent damage to both your remaining teeth and the replacement teeth.
Prevention or management can help prevent tooth loss
Preventing gum disease can help prevent tooth loss. If you already have gum disease, management of it can help to prevent tooth loss. To schedule a consultation with Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, call our office in Kansas City, MO, at 816-427-4018.