Missing Teeth: Replacing Them is Easier Than Ever

I have always been an avid hockey player, and my love took a bad turn one day when I got struck in the mouth with the puck. It was a painful moment that left me with two teeth knocked out of my mouth. Had I taken the right steps after the accident, I could have possibly saved the teeth, but I did not know I had that option at the time. Thankfully, I worked up the courage to visit a dentist and ask what my options for teeth-replacement were. I was worried I would would have to live the rest of my life without smiling, but I was ecstatic to learn that I was the perfect candidate for dental implants. I created this blog to help others realize that there are so many options to replace missing teeth today that no one has to "just live with" an imperfect smile!

Conditions Associated With Unhealthy Gums

Dentist Blog

People who brush their teeth may still pay little attention to their gums. Nevertheless, the state of your gingival tissues is important. It plays a significant role in your oral and systemic health. Here are a few conditions that are associated with unhealthy gums.

Bone and Tooth Loss

Oral bacteria release acid that can inflame or irritate sensitive oral tissues, such as the gums. The acid is excreted as one of the microbes' digestive byproducts, and if not promptly diluted or removed from the mouth, it can cause gum disease.

Gum disease starts as inflammation, but it progresses if not reversed through better oral hygiene. In the earliest stage, which is called gingivitis, gum disease may cause swelling, redness, soreness and bleeding of the gums. However, as the condition worsens, deep holes or pockets develop between the gums and the teeth. 

Oral bacteria start to accumulate in the pockets, causing the gums to become infected. In addition, the bacteria migrate to the bone, resulting in bone loss. 

As the bone around the dental roots is lost, the teeth become less stable within their sockets. They may even become so loose that they fall out.

Preterm Labor

Pregnant women are often more susceptible to gum inflammation because of the effects of pregnancy-related hormones on gingival blood flow. Still, maintaining proper gum health is especially important for an expectant mother. 

A pregnant woman with gum disease is more apt to deliver a child preterm. In addition, she is more likely to have a low-birth-weight baby. 

Higher Rates of Implant Failure

Your gums can even influence the success of a dental implant restoration. When a dental implant is placed, it is inserted through the gums and into the jawbone. 

The gums around an implant should remain clean and as free of bacteria as possible. If the gums around the implant become infected by oral bacteria, a condition called peri-implantitis presents. 

Peri-implantitis can prevent an implant wound from healing properly. Thus, it can increase the risk of implant failure. In addition, since people with periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease, may already have infected gums, their risk of dental implant failure is also elevated. 

After an implantation procedure, it is important to lower the number of germs in the mouth by using antimicrobial mouth rinses. Also, meticulous flossing and brushing can help reduce the amount of inflammatory acid in the mouth. 

For more information about gum disease and its impact on your health, schedule an appointment with a local dentist, like one from Lake Pleasant Dentistry.

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8 September 2017