Minor bleeding when brushing and flossing may seem like nothing to worry about, but it's often an indication of gum disease, a serious oral health problem. If ignored, gum disease, or periodontal disease, can lead to serious oral health problems, including tooth loss. Dr. James M. Wright offers the latest restorative dentistry treatments to reverse dental damage and reveal a healthy, beautiful smile. To discover your treatment options for gum disease and tooth loss, schedule a consultation at Dr. Wright's Salt Lake City, UT practice.

How Gum Disease Increases the Risk of Tooth Loss

Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums caused by plaque and tartar buildup. It is one of the most common causes of oral health problems. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to many oral health issues, all of which can result in tooth loss. These oral health problems include:

• Tooth decay: The plaque and tartar buildup responsible for gum disease also increases the risk of tooth decay. As gum disease advances, the gums may recede or pockets may develop between the gums and teeth, allowing bacteria to reach below the gum line, potentially leading to decay at the roots. If tooth decay is left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss either from damage to the nerves and blood vessels supporting the teeth, or from the teeth being so damaged that they either fall out or require extraction.
• Periodontal pockets: Gum disease can lead to the formation of periodontal pockets, which are gaps between the gums and teeth. Periodontal pockets form as plaque and tartar settle between the teeth and gums. Pockets will continue to grow larger as plaque and tartar accummulate. Over time, this can cause the gums to loosen their hold around the teeth or allow decay to occur below the gum line, both of which can increase the risk of tooth loss.
• Damage to the jawbone: Gum disease is an infection that can spread beyond the gum tissues. In severe cases, infection may spread to the jawbone, which supports the teeth and helps keep them in place. When the tissues of the jawbone become infected, the teeth may fall out or require extraction in order to treat the spreading infection.
• Gum recession: Gum disease can cause the gums to recede, or pull away from the teeth. As gum recession occurs, the gums may loosen their grip around the teeth, exposing the delicate structures below the gum line to tooth decay and increasing the risk of tooth loss.

The Prevention and Treatment of Gum Disease and Tooth Loss

The best way to prevent gum disease and reduce the risk of tooth loss is to practice proper oral hygiene habits. Brushing the teeth twice a day and daily flossing are key to preventing plaque and tartar buildup and reducing harmful bacteria in the mouth. Rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash is also beneficial to further reducing bacteria within the mouth, further lowering the risk of gum disease. Of course, seeing your dentist once every six months for an exam and cleaning is another important component to keeping your smile healthy. If gum disease or tooth loss does occur, there are many treatments available to restore oral health, such as:

• Root planing and scaling: Root planing and scaling is a deep cleaning procedure used to thoroughly clean the teeth, including the roots below the gum line. Root planing and scaling is highly effective at closing periodontal pockets and eliminating gum disease.
• Gum surgery: Severe gum disease may require surgery to restore gum and dental health. The flap procedure is one type of surgery used. During the flap procedure, a flap is created within the gum tissue and folded back to allow access to the roots of the teeth and structures beneath the gum line for repair and cleaning.
• Dental implants: Tooth loss may be addressed with dental implant treatment. Dental implants are surgically placed titanium posts that can be paired with different dental restorations, including dental crowns, bridges, and dentures, to replace one or more missing teeth.

Which Treatments Are Right for You?

Don't let gum disease damage your smile. To find out which treatments are right for you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Wright.