The Main Source of Lost Teeth

Many people believe tooth loss is due to decay. It’s usually not. It’s because of gum disease. It can also be completely unnoticeable up until you lose a tooth! Symptoms often include bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, and loose or shifting teeth. If you’ve been told you require gum surgery, you will be happy to know that it’s possible to arrest gum disease with several non-surgical methods.

Gum Disease Can Silently Contribute to Heart Disease or Stroke

Recent medical research has led many doctors to reach a startling conclusion: gum disease, stroke, and heart disease are connected. Since heart disease is often deadly, it is clear that gum disease is nothing to joke about. The American Dental Association estimates that 80 percent of Americans have gum disease. If this was any other affliction, such as AIDS or tuberculosis, it would be considered a widespread epidemic! Most dentists believe this is what it is. They also know that gum disease won’t be labeled epidemic since “no one ever dies from it.” The worst that can happen is that you lose your teeth. Not a pleasure by any means – but definitely not a threat to your life. But that’s changed.

The American Academy of Periodontology states: “Studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases.” Periodontal disease is characterized by an infection of the gums. Bacteria in the gums can move into the bloodstream – directly to the heart.

Now for the Good News About Treatment

When dealing with advanced periodontal disease, the treatment is surgical. Gum surgery is not fun, but it is generally successful at controlling the condition, and it’s usually covered by the average insurance plan. With milder periodontal disease, there are powerful non-surgical procedures that, when coupled with better oral health, can virtually end the disease. This is also covered under most dental insurance plans.

Why is it Bad to Lose Teeth?

Teeth can be lost from accidents or trauma, but the most prevalent reason people lose a tooth is because of gum disease and/or decay. So, is it a terrible thing to lose a tooth? I mean, it’s not life-threatening, right? No, you can’t die from tooth loss, but losing even one tooth can cause a shifting of teeth which is not good. This can impact chewing and the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Other disagreeable things can result: your face will change shape, often having a sunken look. This will age your face and make you look older than you are. The way you talk can be affected. Because it’s more difficult to chew with missing teeth, you may start favoring softer food choices with more carbohydrates, which can lead to weight gain. The great way to repair a missing tooth (or missing teeth) is with dental implants. An implant can replace from one tooth to several. They can be created to look so lifelike that even dentists have to look closely to tell the difference.

Arrest Gum Disease Using a Painless Prescription

The primary cause for tooth loss is not decay – it’s gum disease! Dr. Agrawal is pleased to provide his patients a potent weapon in the battle against gum disease. It’s called ARESTIN™. It comes in a powder form and contains invisible microspheres. These particles deliver a time-released antibiotic to the infected gums. ARESTIN then kills the bacteria that create your gum disease. The best part of the entire process is that it’s all pain-free!

Do You Need Gum Surgery?

With the latest laser treatment, you might not! Our practice utilizes laser technology for non-surgical treatment of gum disease, with results that would be considered unbelievable not long ago. This type of procedure is minimal and easy to manage for our patients, and the outcomes have been almost entirely positive. Our practice has successfully treated many cases of gum disease without resorting to gum surgery. We make use of an advanced dental laser to ensure treatment is generally painless. This laser is not only safe and effective, it has the approval of the FDA. This breakthrough technique actually can rebuild bone lost through accumulated gum disease.

We can help arrest your gum disease and bring your smile back to health. Schedule online or give us a call today at (352) 674-9077.