Most tooth loss is due to infected gums, not decay. There may or may not be symptoms. Signs of infected gums are red and painful gums and bleeding gums from brushing and flossing. If treatment begins before the infection is advanced, there are easier, nonsurgical methods to combat the problem. Otherwise, surgery may be the only option.
Gum Disease Linked to Serious Health Problems
Medical research has proven that gum disease plays a role in the development of potentially fatal diseases such as stroke, diabetes, and heart disease. Dentists now consider periodontal disease a much worse condition than losing your teeth - you can lose your life. Eight out of ten Americans have some stage of infected gums, as estimated by the American Dental Association. This is at an epidemic level, and if it were another type of life-threatening disease would receive more attention from the general public.
The bacteria infecting the gums flow throughout the body via the bloodstream, affecting other vital organs. The American Academy of Periodontology reports that "studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases."
Effective Ways to Treat Gum Disease
Gum surgery is often the only way to remedy advanced cases of periodontal disease, as you are at the point of nearly losing your teeth. In less severe cases, nonsurgical methods are often very successful in reversing the problem. Together with thorough daily hygiene, the infection can be stopped. Both methods are generally covered by most insurance plans.
Missing One Tooth Can Cause Other Problems
Losing even one tooth can cause other teeth to start to shift, move, and even loosen. It also affects how well you chew and your ability to obtain nutrients from food. If too many teeth are missing, you may start to eat softer foods that are less nutritious; often these types of foods result in unwanted weight gain. Without the support of a full set of dentures, your face may seem to sink, giving you an aged appearance. Speech can be affected too, resulting in embarrassment.The best solution is to replace lost teeth with dental implants for as many teeth as you have missing. They look completely natural and function like regular teeth. Even a dentist would have a hard time telling they were not your original teeth.
An Effective Way to Reverse Gum DiseaseMore teeth are lost due to gum disease than either decay or trauma. Our doctors use an
effective antibiotic called ARESTIN™ to eliminate the bacteria. It is time released and applied directly to the infected pockets between teeth and gums. The powder works through the use of invisible microspheres to combat the disease painlessly, and succeeds in killing all the bacteria to allow your gums to return to a state of health.We Provide Wellness Dentistry
Wellness Care is a different type of approach to maintaining your good health. Instead of waiting until you are sick, it addresses any problem before you reach that state.
We use this same idea in our practice by providing a thorough examination to identify any potential dental issues. We search for oral cancer, gum disease, and signs of worn or distressed teeth. We observe your bite to see if your teeth come together properly. We also discuss with you how to avoid certain problems. Many patients have never had such a complete dental check-up, but love our preventive approach. We want to take care of problems before they develop to the level of affecting your overall health.
Better Image Dentistry
Drew Fairweather, DMD, Michael H. Dodd, DMD
21 Monroe Street
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
(908) 214-7686
BetterImageDentistry.com
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