If you are dealing with advanced gum disease, you might be thinking the only way to effectively get rid of the inflammation, bleeding, and tenderness is to extract your teeth. After all, if there are no tooth structures for the bacteria and plaque to attack, the problem will simply go away, right? A periodontist is here to answer this question and many others while also sharing what they can do to improve the health of your smile.
Will Removing Teeth Stop the Progression of Gum Disease?
The short answer is “no.” Gum disease attacks the soft oral tissues of the mouth and bones that surround your tooth structures. Just because one or more of your teeth may no longer be present doesn’t mean the infection doesn’t exist. If left untreated, it can spread and cause further tooth loss as well as a breakdown of the jawbone. It can also enter into the bloodstream and negatively affect your heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, gut health, and other vital areas of the body.
Why Would Tooth Extraction Be Necessary?
Depending on the severity of your periodontal (gum) disease, tooth extraction may be necessary if you’re experiencing an advanced stage. When gum pockets form and bacteria, plaque, and tartar become trapped, they will attack the tissues and bone causing teeth to become loose. If your periodontist deems these teeth no longer viable, removal will be necessary. But without a proper replacement, the bone will continue to weaken.
Before you can move forward with any type of tooth replacement, however, you must undergo treatment for your periodontal disease if you want your new teeth to lend successful results.
What Types of Treatment Are Available?
Tooth extractions are not the only option for treatment. Although they may be required once the disease is too advanced, there are ways to avoid this extreme method of care. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing regularly as well as continuing to see your dentist for regular six-month checkups and cleanings is essential. It may also be necessary that you undergo one or more of the following:
- Gum Grafting: If minor gum loss occurs, your periodontist in Worcester can perform a gum graft to cover exposed tooth structures and eliminate gum pockets.
- Bone Grafting: If you are dealing with advanced periodontal disease, bone grafting can be administered to strengthen the existing area and create a firm foundation for your new teeth once they’ve been removed.
- Osseous Surgery: If the gums between your teeth do not lie flat, your periodontist can reshape the area beneath the gum line to minimize gum pockets and reduce bacterial growth.
Millions of people suffer from gum disease, but tooth extraction doesn’t have to be the end result. Early detection is key, so as soon as you notice changes to your soft oral tissues, don’t wait to seek treatment. It is during this time you can avoid potentially serious procedures and instead, undergo non-surgical solutions to improve your gum health.
About the Practice
At Handsman & Haddad Periodontics, P.C., we are specialists in periodontal care. Not only can Dr. David Handsman and Dr. Todd Jenny implement available treatments to combat gum disease, but they can also help you minimize your risk through optimal oral hygiene practices and regular dental care. Contact us at (508) 753-5444 to schedule an appointment.
FAQs
Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue; it isn't an infection of the teeth. Therefore, it is important to understand that removing your teeth will not actually treat or cure your gum disease. However, extractions can be an important part of your overall treatment plan to get your oral health back on track.
Do periodontal pathogens disappear after full mouth tooth extraction? ›
In other words, it is still possible for the bacteria that causes periodontal disease to continue to be present and dissolve away additional jawbone after the teeth have been removed. This is not good news for patients who must rely on the jawbone to support traditional dentures.
Can a periodontist reverse gum disease? ›
You can't cure it because once you lose structural support around your teeth, you don't usually get all of it back. However, periodontal treatment can reduce infection and rebuild your bone and tissue to some degree. Another factor is genetics. There are many different types of oral bacteria.
Can gums recover from periodontal disease? ›
The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.
How long does it take to get rid of periodontal gum disease? ›
Early to moderate periodontal disease can take about 2 to 3 weeks to heal. However, healing can only occur with the proper intervention such as scaling and root planing. For severe Periodontal disease, the recovery times do vary. For example, with the proper treatment, some patients can recover in 5 to 8 weeks.
How do you cure periodontal disease without a dentist? ›
Proper oral hygiene practices, such as brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, can go a long way in preventing and reversing gum disease. Additionally, using an antibacterial mouthwash can help kill bacteria that contribute to gum inflammation.
When is it too late to reverse gum disease? ›
It's never too late to seek treatment for gum disease, and the degree of treatment you require will depend on how advanced it is.
Can 7mm gum pockets be reversed? ›
For deep pockets over 7mm, surgery may be needed. Pocket reduction surgery requires making small incisions in the gum to peel back the gum tissue. Deep cleaning is completed and any underlying bone loss is addressed. Finally, stitches are inserted.
Can my teeth be saved if I have gum disease? ›
Periodontal disease is chronic, meaning if you have an advanced case, it most likely will need continual treatment to save your teeth. While each patient is different, so there is no general timeline for the amount of time you have to protect your teeth.
Do gums grow back after extraction? ›
Your gums will begin to rebuild and begin the healing process on the third day. You will be able to see the gap in your teeth closing as gum tissues form on the seventh day. If you had stitches, they would start to come out or dissolve around this time. The hole will seal and your gums will heal between 14–21 days.
Treating Recessed Gums
Since your gums won't regrow on their own to fill this space, your surgeon will remove affected tissue and smooth out the damaged bone to allow the gum tissue to reattach. Gum Grafts. This procedure helps to cover an exposed tooth root and prevent additional bone loss and gum recession.
Will gum infection go away after tooth extraction? ›
Extraction Doesn't Cure Gum Disease
More to the point, though, there isn't a way to reverse this infection once it's truly severe. Only milder forms like gingivitis can be fully treated, with treatment often being a professional dental cleaning.
How does a dentist fix periodontal disease? ›
Your periodontist makes cuts in your gums to carefully fold back the tissue. This exposes the tooth roots for more effective scaling and root planing. Because periodontitis often causes bone loss, the underlying bone may be reshaped before the gum tissue is stitched back in place.
Is it too late to save my teeth with periodontal disease? ›
Periodontal disease is chronic, meaning if you have an advanced case, it most likely will need continual treatment to save your teeth. While each patient is different, so there is no general timeline for the amount of time you have to protect your teeth.
Will my teeth eventually fall out with periodontitis? ›
If not treated, these deep infections cause a loss of tissue and bone. Eventually you may lose one or more teeth. Also, ongoing inflammation can put a strain on your immune system, causing other health problems.
