If you’ve been dealing with advanced gum disease for a long time, you may feel like you’ve tried everything. When treatments haven’t produced the results you hoped for, it can be tempting to wonder whether removing the affected teeth could simply make the problem disappear.
Tooth extraction can sometimes be part of treating advanced gum disease, particularly when a tooth has been severely damaged or can no longer be saved. However, removing teeth doesn’t automatically make gum disease go away. Gum disease affects the tissues surrounding your teeth, so treating the underlying infection and inflammation remains important even after an extraction.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease develops when bacteria and plaque accumulate along the gumline. Without proper treatment, the gums can become inflamed and begin pulling away from the teeth. Over time, the infection can damage the gum and bone tissue supporting your teeth.
In its advanced stages, gum disease can cause symptoms such as persistent bad breath, bleeding or swollen gums, loose teeth, and changes in how your teeth fit together. When the supporting tissues have been significantly damaged, some teeth may no longer be healthy enough to keep.
When Might a Tooth Need to Be Removed?
Dentists generally try to preserve natural teeth whenever possible. However, an extraction may be recommended when a tooth is severely loose, extensively damaged, or has lost too much supporting tissue to be successfully treated.
Removing a severely compromised tooth can eliminate one source of infection and create an opportunity to restore your smile. But extraction isn’t a cure for gum disease throughout the rest of your mouth.
If gum disease is affecting multiple areas, those areas still need appropriate treatment and ongoing care.
What Happens After Extraction?
Your dentist will typically develop a plan for managing your oral health after an extraction. Depending on your individual situation, that may include treating remaining gum disease, allowing the extraction site to heal, and discussing options for replacing the missing tooth.
Replacing a tooth isn’t simply about appearance. Missing teeth can affect your ability to chew and may allow surrounding teeth to shift over time. Options can include dental implants, bridges, or dentures, depending on your oral health and treatment needs.
Before certain restorative treatments, it’s important to get active gum disease under control. Healthy gum and bone tissue provide important support for many tooth-replacement options.
Don’t Wait to Treat Gum Disease
If you’re considering extraction because you’ve been struggling with gum disease, talk with your dentist before making a decision. Depending on the condition of your teeth and supporting tissues, there may be treatments that can help preserve your natural teeth.
Even when an extraction is necessary, treating the underlying gum disease and maintaining good oral hygiene can help protect your remaining teeth and support your long-term oral health.
Removing a tooth may solve one problem, but healthy gums require ongoing care.
About the Practice
Glastonbury Dental Associates provides comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages, with services designed to address both immediate dental concerns and long-term oral health. The practice offers tooth extractions as part of its range of dental treatments and works with patients to determine appropriate care based on their individual needs.
Call us at (860) 633-3671 or schedule your appointment online