Will I Need to Remove Teeth if I Have Gum Disease?

If you’re worried about gum disease, you may have seen an article or two about how tooth extraction is a common treatment.

Indeed, it’s possible a patient with severe gum disease might need to have a tooth or two removed – but that’s not always the case! Keep reading to get the finer details about the relationship between gum disease and your pearly whites.

Gum Disease Doesn’t Attack Your Teeth

The first thing you should know is that unlike cavities, gum disease doesn’t technically attack your teeth. What happens when bacteria with porphyromonas gingivalis (the “gum disease strain”) build up is that they start to irritate your gums.

In cases of gingivitis, or early-stage gum disease, you may experience bleeding or swollen gums. Without timely treatment, you might instead be faced with periodontitis – the late-stage version that causes more severe symptoms.

Your Teeth Are Still at Risk

As gum disease spreads, those “more severe symptoms” can include a receding gumline, empty pockets between your teeth and gums, and even jawbone deterioration. Your gums and jawbone are the supports that keep your pearly whites in place, so as they continue to shrink, your teeth could very well become loose or fall out. And that’s how gum disease is related to your smile!

Tooth Extraction May Promote Your Oral Health

Gingivitis can often be treated with enhanced oral hygiene efforts or a professional deep cleaning. However, if periodontitis creates gum pockets or loosens teeth, then it might be necessary to remove a pearly white. The pockets in any surrounding tissue make teeth more vulnerable to further decay and infection, while loose ones can’t always be salvaged. Rest assured, whatever the case may be, your dentist will keep you updated about your options!

In Summary

If you had to take one thing away from this post, it should be that a tooth extraction does not eliminate gum disease; it only protects your mouth from further harm down the road. To cure your condition, you’ll need to remove harmful bacteria with dental cleaning or a scaling and root planing. Let your dentist take care of you, and they’ll help you restore your oral health!

About the Author

Dr. Christopher Cowell earned his dental degree from the University of Florida College of Dentistry, and has over 20 years of experience in the field so far. He takes a conservative approach to dentistry, meaning that he won’t resort to a tooth extraction unless absolutely necessary. If you’re worried about your gums, Dr. Cowell will take a look at your mouth and help you take care of your oral health! To contact his office, call 386-734-8585.