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Dental implants are a healthy and convenient way to restore your smile. Unlike dentures, dental implants will never need to be removed for any reason. Plus, you care for your dental implants the same way you care of your natural teeth, with daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash. You’ll also want to continue visiting Whidbey Dental Care in Oak Harbor for regular checkups at least twice a year.
Many people who are seeking smile restoration have already lost one or more teeth due to gum disease. That’s why preventing gum disease is a great way to protect smiles. Unfortunately, gum disease can also complicate the dental implant process.
Over 47% of Americans over 30 suffer from gum disease. Gum disease must be effectively treated before Dr. Wirth can rejuvenate your smile with dental implants.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection in which bacteria feed and accumulate in and around the gum line. While patients who regularly brush and floss are able to avoid or at least prevent this accumulation from occurring, individuals who forget or do not thoroughly clean their teeth end up developing tartar.
This provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to multiply, causing gum inflammation. As tartar is typically removed during regular teeth cleanings, patients that put off these critical visits to our Whidbey Island dentists put themselves at greater risk of letting their condition worsen.
The Three Stages of Gum Disease
There are three stages of gum disease: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. It’s much easier for your dentist to treat gum disease when it’s diagnosed early, during the gingivitis stage. Symptoms of gingivitis include:
- Swollen and tender gums
- Gums recede making teeth appear larger
- Bad breath
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- A foul taste in your mouth
When gum disease goes untreated, it doesn’t take long for the condition to worsen. As the condition progresses to the advanced periodontitis stage, the patient is at risk of losing one or more teeth. Other symptoms and side effects of advanced periodontitis include:
- Pus oozes from infected pockets at base of teeth
- Chewing is extremely painful
- Teeth don’t fit together when you bite down
- Gums turn bright red and they’re painful to the touch
- Bleeding gums
- Extremely bad breath and a bad taste in your mouth
- Teeth fall out
Dental Implants Promote Healthy Bone Growth
Another serious consequence of gum disease is bone degradation. When you lose a tooth, the section of the jawbone at the base of the tooth begs to deteriorate through a process called resorption. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, dental implants prevent resorption by actively promoting bone growth.
How Gum Disease Can Ruin Your Chances at a Beautiful Smile
Dental implants are a healthy and convenient way to restore your smile. They enhance the overall health of your smile by filling in the gaps between your teeth and promoting healthy bone growth in the jaw. This helps to prevent further gum disease and it will also help save your remaining teeth..
Treating Gum Disease in Oak Harbor
Whidbey Dental Associates in Oak Harbor can provide all your dental needs. We’re here for regular checkups, we can help you fight and prevent gum disease, and we also provide beautiful dental implants. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
