Will Tooth Extraction Cure Periodontal Disease?
Healthy Gums
One of the main purposes of practising dental hygiene is to keep our gums healthy.
Gums that are pink, not red or brown and have a firm texture are typically considered healthy.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is defined as a serious oral health issue that is typically a result of poor oral hygiene and plaque buildup.
Gum disease can cause the gums to become red, swollen, tender and bleed while brushing or flossing.
Gum disease may also cause bad breath, receding of the gum tissue, bone loss, and tooth loss if not addressed urgently.
Gum disease is also called periodontal disease and has two stages:
- Gingivitis: Earliest stage of gum disease
- Periodontitis: Advanced gum disease
Gingivitis is reversible with practising good oral hygiene, regular brushing and flossing, and regular dental visits.
Untreated gingivitis may eventually lead to advanced periodontal disease, called periodontitis.
The Advanced Periodontal Disease May Lead to Substantial Bone Loss
Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that may damage the soft tissue and bones that support the teeth.
Left untreated, the infection advances and spreads to the supporting structures around the teeth. The patient may experience irreversible bone loss and tooth loss at this stage.
Gum Diseases Most Common Symptoms
The following symptoms may be warning signs of gum disease:
- red or darker gums
- swollen gums
- loose teeth
- gums that are tender or sore
- bleeding gums
- gum recession
- halitosis (persistent bad breath)
- tooth sensitivity
- painful chewing
- tooth loss in severe cases
Receding gums causes the gums to pull away from the teeth’ surface, causing the teeth’ roots to become exposed. Receding gums is one of the common symptoms of advanced periodontal diseases.
Gum Disease Treatment Options
Periodontal disease is reversible at its early stages with proper oral care.
Early to moderate stages of gum disease may be successfully treated with non-surgical procedures such as Scaling, Root planing, also referred to as deep cleaning.
Antibiotics may also be prescribed for the early stages of periodontal disease.
However, the advanced stage of gum disease is irreversible and cannot be cured by practising dental care at home.
Patients will need professional treatment and surgical approaches by experienced dental experts, including:
- Flap Surgery
- Soft Tissue Grafts
- Bone Graft Surgery
- Guided Tissue Regeneration
Gum disease must be addressed urgently before it causes irreversible damage to your oral and overall health.
There seems to be a link between unaddressed periodontal disease and some health conditions like heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.
Can Tooth Extraction Cure Gum Disease?
Will Removing Teeth Stop the Progression of Gum Disease?
As mentioned earlier, gum disease is the infection and inflammation of the gums. Therefore, tooth extraction alone may not cure the condition. It’s the gums that require to get rid of the disease.
If gum disease has caused serious damage to the bone tissue around the teeth, tooth extractions may be an essential part of the treatment process. In other words, if your teeth have lost their bone support, saving them may no longer be possible, and tooth extraction becomes necessary.
If gums and the bones that support teeth have shrunk due to untreated gum disease and aggressive periodontitis, teeth can no longer stay firmly in place.
When teeth are loose, bacteria and food particles find it easier to accumulate in the pockets between the teeth and gums. Tooth extractions may be necessary to improve oral health and not to cure gum disease in this situation.
Don’t stop here; here’s a comprehensive article about Gum Disease.
Replacing Missing Teeth
“Dental Implants” can be a viable tooth replacement option if the person has experienced tooth loss because of gum disease.
Patients with active gum disease are not considered viable candidates for receiving dental implants.
If you are willing to know more about dental implant procedures, here’s a good article: Dental Implants
Pure Dentistry’s dental team in Brisbane strives to keep natural teeth as much as possible rather than removing them. We provide tooth extraction using happy gas and extraction under general anaesthesia for anxious patients.
Call us for more information about gum disease treatment options:
P: (7) 3343 4869
E: info@puredentistry.com.au
