Although gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults worldwide, this outcome doesn’t always have to happen. In fact, extraction only becomes a necessity if gum disease is allowed to advance. Understanding more about this infection can open your eyes as to why extraction can help but also earlier treatments to take advantage of to preserve your natural teeth. Read on to learn why extraction is not the solution to gum disease but can help treat it.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial, inflammatory condition characterized by 3 stages:
- Gingivitis: Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and results from plaque and bacteria buildup that cause infection. Common symptoms include inflamed gums (redness, swelling, bleeding) and persistent bad breath.
- Periodontitis: Periodontitis is an infection that damages the soft tissue around your teeth. Without treatment, it can destroy the bone that supports them, leading to loose teeth or loss of teeth. Receding gums, which cause small pockets where additional plaque and bacteria can hide, and tooth sensitivity are common problems.
- Advanced periodontitis: This is the final stage of periodontal disease and is a worsening of the infection, spreading to the ligaments and bones supporting your teeth. Some symptoms include changing bite alignment and loose teeth. Teeth can even come out completely.
Why Would I Need Tooth Extraction for Gum Disease?
While there are alternative treatments to earlier stages of gum disease like scaling, root planing, and topical antibiotics, if gum disease is in the advanced stages, it may be necessary to remove one or more teeth.
The reason is that the damage to bones and tissues that support your teeth can cause them to loosen to the point of non-functionality, and extraction becomes inevitable.
If Teeth are Removed, Will Gum Disease Go Away?
In short: not entirely. Gum disease is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums, not the teeth. The infected teeth may have been taken out, but the bacteria causing the infection can still linger or come back in the gum tissue and supporting bones.
However, it can be beneficial to extract teeth at this late stage for several reasons:
- Increase your comfort: A loose tooth or teeth can rattle not only your confidence but your ability to carry out routine, everyday functions like speaking and eating. Removing the problem can allow you to abandon a sinking ship and find another solution.
- Removal of plaque and bacteria: If you extract the source that caused the issue in the first place, it can stop the spread of infection. The removal of a tooth can eliminate the pockets that form between tooth and gum during periodontitis and trap bacteria, food debris, and other harmful elements, enabling your gums and oral cavity to heal.
- Prepare you for restoration: The dentist likely removed the tooth because it would fall out on its own eventually. Early removal can expedite the process of restorative dentistry like a dental implant, denture, or bridge.
Is Tooth Extraction Necessary to Treat Gum Disease?
Though it may be required if gum disease has advanced, removal of teeth is not the only treatment for gum disease in general. Gingivitis can often be reversed with good oral hygiene including brushing and flossing daily and biannual visits to the dentist for checkups and cleanings.
If gum disease has advanced to periodontitis, scaling and root planing and topical antibiotics are an option. In this first treatment, the dentist will use special tools to perform a deep cleaning of the teeth below the gum line, as well as smooth the surfaces of the tooth roots.
While it’s not a cure for gum disease, tooth extraction can be helpful to treat advanced stages of the condition and open up avenues of long-term treatment like restorative dentistry.
About the Practice
As much as possible, the team at EMA Dental uses conservative treatments to avoid tooth extraction unless it’s necessary. We are committed to compassionate care and making sure you know what to expect during this procedure. Need other services to meet your dental needs? We offer comprehensive dentistry for your entire family, from regular cleanings and teeth whitening to restorative and emergency services. Make your appointment now by visiting EMA Dental online or contacting their East Longmeadow location at (413) 384-5760 or their Northampton office at (413) 584-4900.