One of the most common reasons for tooth loss in adults is gum disease. In fact, not only does it impact your oral health, but it is also an indicator of other systemic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Many of our patients at Legacy Dental ask if "It’s possible to get dentures if I have gum disease?". The short answer is yes. In certain cases, the best way to prevent the advancement of gum disease is to remove all of the natural teeth and get dentures.
In this article, we’ll explain more about what gum disease is, how to keep it from worsening, and how dentures can help treat gum disease.
Typically, the first warning sign of gum disease is gingivitis or gum inflammation. This is caused by plaque buildup along the gumline. However, it is important to note that most people experience gingivitis at some point in their lives; it does not always advance to periodontitis or gum disease- as long as it is addressed.
Unfortunately, the primary symptom is bleeding while brushing, so it’s easy to ignore. If not addressed, it may advance to full-blown gum disease, causing the gums to separate from the teeth. This allows plaque and debris to get below the gum line, which causes bacteria to eat away at the support for the teeth.
Gum disease manifests in several ways:
Bleeding gums are never normal. If you have bleeding, then you have gingivitis or active gum disease.
It is possible to have gum disease with no warning signs, which is why it is critical to practice good oral hygiene on a daily basis, as well as visit the dentist every 6 months for an exam and cleaning. The sooner you address gum disease, the more likely you will be able to save your natural teeth.
There are several ways that you can address periodontal issues and save your natural teeth. There are three factors that impact your prognosis:
You don’t have as much control over genetics as you do the other factors, which is why the other two are so important in stopping the progression of gum disease.
Therapy can be done to stop the progression, including selective extractions and partial dentures. Then, the best way to keep it from coming back is proper daily care and dental visits every six months.
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