Gum disease is a grave oral health condition that can cause several uncomfortable symptoms, including gum recession, bleeding gums and bad breath. In critical cases, your dentist might also recommend a tooth extraction.
It leads us back to the original question, can tooth extraction cure your gum disease? Well, the straightforward answer is ‘No’ – tooth extraction does not cure or stop the progression of gum disease. Gum disease targets the soft oral tissues in the mouth and bones enclosing tooth structures. If one or more of your teeth is no longer present, it does not mean the infection has gone away. If treatment is delayed or ignored, it can result in further tooth loss and breakdown of the jawbone.
Can Tooth Extractions Help with a Gum Disease Treatment Plan?
Gum disease occurs because of an infection of the gum tissue and not an infection of the teeth. Thus, extracting your tooth won’t heal or treat your gum disease. Nonetheless, tooth extractions play a crucial role in the overall treatment plan to revive your oral health.
If the gum disease has utterly damaged the tissue around the tooth, it would be imperative to extract the tooth. In cases like this, the bone supporting the teeth and the gums may contract, and your teeth can get loose. Chewing food might get tough, and it will be easier for food particles and bacteria to accrue in the gaps between your teeth and gums. Here, tooth extraction can improve your comfort level and help cure your gum disease.
Averting Tooth Extractions
An experienced dentist will always try to save your teeth first. If you get early dental treatment before your gum disease gets worse, in all likelihood, you can stop the infection from causing grave damage to your oral tissues.
Scaling and root planing is one of the conservative and widely used forms of gum therapy involving deep cleaning of the mouth. Your dentist will remove bacteria from above and below the gum line, and smoothen the roots of the teeth, so bacteria won’t find it easy to stick to them. Along with scaling and root planing, antibiotic therapy and adhering to good oral hygiene at home can help revive your oral health.
When Tooth Extractions Are Unavoidable
If tooth extractions get inevitable, ask your dentist about possible tooth replacement options. Once your gum disease gets cured, you may become eligible for dental implants. Dental implants look like your natural teeth, have an identical structure and provide a strong bite force that can help with tough foods. Tooth extractions play a crucial role in curing gum disease. Getting timely assistance from your dentist will help you manage your condition in the best possible manner.
Final Words
Gum disease is a grave oral health problem that many people suffer from; however, the outcome does not have to be tooth extraction. When you notice any changes to your soft oral tissues, don’t delay getting dental treatment. When you receive an early diagnosis and treatment, in all likelihood, you can avoid complicated procedures and get dental treatment and care through non-surgical methods and revive your gum health.
