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WHAT IS GUM DISEASE? Many people know gum disease as a condition affecting the gum tissue only. However, Newton dentists will tell you that it features an infection of the periodontium, usually the gum tissue and jawbone of the oral cavity. It is why the infection is also called periodontal disease. Periodontal disease occurs in two main phases: Gingivitis – is the initial stage of the infection. At this stage, only the gums and soft tissues in your mouth are affected. If left untreated, the condition will worsen, advancing into the next phase of infection. Periodontitis – is more severe than gingivitis. Periodontitis affects both the gums and jawbone. The infection is severe enough to cause permanent oral problems like premature tooth loss. WHAT CAUSES THE DISEASE? Various factors are known to cause periodontal disease. The common risk factors for periodontal infection are: Poor oral hygiene – is the most common cause of gum infection. Neglecting your dental hygiene results in a buildup of plaque and tartar in your mouth, creating a conducive environment for bacteria overgrowth. Genetics – some people have a high risk of gum infections due to their family history. Smoking or chewing tobacco – tobacco usage does not only predispose you to lung cancer and other types of cancers. You can get periodontal disease due to long-term smoking. Underlying health problems – some health issues increase your risk of periodontal infections, including diabetes. Hormonal changes – are typical during pregnancy or menopause. If your hormones keep fluctuating, you have a high risk of gum disease. HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE GUM DISEASE? Even though it should be fairly easy to detect periodontal disease, it may not be as obvious to every patient, especially during the initial stages. You will need to visit a dentist in delta for diagnosis and treatment. Some common oral problems associated with gum disease are: Swollen and tender gums Reddened and painful gums Bleeding gums Recurrent mouth sores Bad breath Receding gums and exposed tooth roots Shaky teeth Pain in your jaw when you chew CAN YOU GET NEW TEETH IF YOU HAVE GUM DISEASE? One of the treatment approaches for gum infection is tooth repair, restoration, and replacement. If you have not yet lost your natural teeth, you have a good chance of restoring the initial ones. However, some dental restorations are not suitable for you if you have a periodontal infection. It would require treating the infection first to restore string gums before getting new teeth. Some treatment options for periodontal disease are: Antibiotics – topical antibiotics will help curb bacteria overgrowth in your mouth, leading to progressive infection. Deep cleaning – entails root planing, scaling, teeth brushing, and flossing to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your mouth. Deep cleaning is also a great strategy for ridding your oral cavity of bacteria. Pocket reduction surgery – is a procedure that reduces the size of pockets formed in the gum tissue due to the infection. Gum grafting surgery – is a procedure for repairing and restoring damaged gums. Bone grafting surgery – is a procedure for repairing and restoring your jawbone, especially if you want to replace your teeth. CAN TEETH BE REPLACED AFTER GUM DISEASE? Teeth replacement at Precision Dentistry often entails intricate procedures, especially if you want a permanent solution for tooth loss. Typically, dental implants and crowns work together to replace lost teeth. When your gums are still infected, you may not be a prime candidate for dental crowns and implants. However, after your treatment, our dental team may consider it. You would require to undergo both gum grafting and bone grafting surgeries. Implantation procedures dictate that you have strong gums and jawbone. After the former surgeries, you need time to heal, usually about 3-4 months before any other dental work. If you do not want to get dental implants, you can opt for dental bridges. They also entail dental crowns that support the artificial replacement tooth. Even for this procedure, your gums and jaw must be healthy. Essentially, a healthy periodontium is crucial to successful tooth replacement procedures.