Bone Loss in the Jaw
Fri, Oct 9th, 2020
People don't just take care of their teeth because it's healthy (although it's the most important reason). People take care of their teeth because of how it improves their appearance. But neglecting your teeth, or not following the instructions of your dentist can result in severe oral damage, such as bone loss in the jaw. Bone loss in the jaw can come from having periodontal disease (periodontitis) for an extended period of time, or not replacing missing teeth.
In this blog, we'll discuss how these two things create bone loss and why you need to contact Arnold Dentistry immediately if you're experiencing any oral pain.
Periodontitis
When bacteria accumulate in the mouth, the gums become inflamed. The inflammation causes the gums to turn red and swell with irritation and bleed when brushed. As we previously mentioned, if periodontitis is left untreated, bone loss in the jaw can occur. This can happen when gums begin to separate from teeth, causing pockets, which in turn, creates bone loss.
Periodontitis slowly erodes the support of your natural teeth. It eventually deteriorates parts of the bone as the infection moves from the periodontal ligament to the jawbone. Treatment of periodontitis requires a dental professional cleaning out the pockets that have formed. The cleaning process is called scaling and root planing, which clears out the plaque and calculus that developed under the gums. Once treatments are complete, it's extremely important to see your dentist every six months for preventative maintenance and to take care of your teeth at home.
Tooth Loss
When a tooth is extracted or lost, the jawbone will begin to deteriorate unless the tooth is replaced with a dental implant or graft. The lack of bone stimulation in the area of tooth loss is the cause of bone decay. When a tooth is missing, it leaves behind a hole or socket. There are times when an implant can be placed directly into this socket, however, when too much bone is lost, the socket needs to be filled in, or rebuilt. This includes using bone grafts and membrane in combination with biologic modifiers to prepare the site for a stable implant. When a tooth or multiple teeth have been missing for an extended period, the bone goes through changes that cause it to shrink.
Arnold Dentistry
The only way to be sure you don't have gum disease that could lead to bone loss in your jaw is to visit your dentist regularly. If you are missing one tooth or multiple teeth, it's essential that you get them replaced.
Arnold Dentistry is one of the premier oral surgeons and cosmetic dentists in Brandon, Florida. If you're experiencing any oral discomfort, don't hesitate, contact Arnold Dentistry and schedule and appointment!
(813) 689-1529