Do I Need a Tooth Extraction to Treat My Gum Disease?

June 15, 2021

Filed under: Uncategorized — tntadmin @ 6:19 pm
an older man brushing teeth and discovering he has gum disease in Phoenix

When faced with advanced gum disease in Phoenix, there is a good chance your teeth feel loose and may even fall out. While certain non-surgical procedures can help to treat gum health, oftentimes, if the damage is too severe, the only solution will be to perform a tooth extraction. Read on to learn more about the reason for this process and why it’s important to seek treatment early on to avoid the need for this extensive procedure. 

How Advanced Gum Disease Can Lead to Tooth Extractions

If the stages of gingivitis and gum pocket formations are left untreated, you can be faced with the reality of bone and eventual tooth loss. This happens because the bacteria begin to destroy your teeth and jaw, resulting in your once pearly whites feeling loose. To avoid the potential for serious infection and your teeth simply falling out, you will likely need one or more tooth extractions in Phoenix.

When undergoing this type of procedure, your dentist will administer local anesthesia to the problem areas. Once they are convinced that you are thoroughly numb, they will move the tooth back and forth until it detaches from the ligaments holding it in place.

Will Gum Disease Go Away Once Teeth Are Extracted?

This is a common misconception. Gum disease doesn’t simply go away just because teeth are removed. In fact, it can continue to wreak havoc on the rest of your soft oral tissues, jawbone, and remaining teeth if you do not address it. Your dentist will likely want to go over available treatment options that are designed to treat periodontal disease and improve your gum health, as this will minimize the potential for additional tooth and bone loss in the future.

Whether it is scaling and root planing or removing soft oral tissue to treat a damaged tooth, it is essential to talk to your dentist about available treatment options, so you can take charge of your oral health.

How to Care for Smiles After a Tooth Extraction

Once your dentist removes the problematic teeth, it will be necessary for you to follow a few simple rules to ensure you heal quickly and successfully. You’ll need to:

  • Be mindful not to dislodge the blood clot that must form in your surgical sites. This means not sucking or sipping through a straw, spitting, or rinsing
  • Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and rinsing when it’s safe to do so
  • Regularly see your dentist for periodontal therapy to treat your poor gum health and prevent worsening conditions
  • Inquire about tooth replacements once you’re fully healed from your extraction

Preventive care is one of the most effective ways to mitigate the potential for gum disease. If you want to keep your natural teeth in place for as long as possible, take the appropriate steps to safeguard your smile.

About the Author
Dr. John Ludu is a dentist in Phoenix who achieved his Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry before going on to earn his doctorate at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Undergoing various specialty education courses, he has more than two and a half decades of dentistry experience. Dr. Ludu and the dental experts at Devoted Family Dental believe in making sure all patients are safe and healthy before, during, and after a visit. If you are suffering from advanced gum disease and a tooth extraction is in your future, contact us at (623) 444-6222 to find out how we can help.

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