In fact, gum disease is very unpleasant in its later stages. The illness can make your gums tender and even cause them to recede. If you have it, then, you’re likely desperate for treatment — maybe to the point of considering tooth extraction. However, the truth is that pulling your teeth won’t cure a gum infection. At the very least, you have other less drastic options. As proof of these claims, here’s a summary of why gum disease doesn’t fade when teeth are removed.
Extraction Doesn’t Cure Gum Disease
While it’d be great if it did, tooth extractions won’t cure your advanced gum disease. The latter refers to infected gum tissue; your teeth aren’t at issue. More to the point, though, there isn’t a way to reverse this infection once it’s truly severe. Only milder forms like gingivitis can be fully treated, with treatment often being a professional dental cleaning.
That said, extractions can help you manage late-stage gum disease. If your teeth could soon fall out, pulling the pearly whites would ensure clean tooth loss. Plus, the procedure would reduce your risk of a later tooth infection. Still, keep in mind that this service should only be used as a last resort.
Other Treatment Options
Before you jump to tooth extraction(s), you may want to consider your other options. After all, dentists have ways to fight gum disease without pulling teeth. Such treatments may include:
- Scaling & Root Planing – This option is a kind of deep cleaning of your gums. In particular, it relies on dental tools to remove bacteria and plaque below the gum line. The process ends with your dentist smoothing out your tooth root’s rough surfaces, thus preventing future bacterial growth.
- Soft Tissue Laser Therapy – A soft tissue laser can cut away diseased gum tissue, promote healing, and reduce gum pocket depth. It even sterilizes the area as it works, minimizing bleeding and eliminating the need for stitches.
- Antibiotic Therapy – After cleaning, a dentist could apply a topical antibiotic to your gums. This medicine could then reach and kill the remaining bacteria in the pink tissues.
Ultimately, tooth extraction may not be the right solution for your gum disease. Therefore, consider the above alternatives before making a final choice!
About the Practice
D&G Dental of West Orange is based in West Orange, NJ. As led by Drs. Med Dawoud and Paula Gencarelli, our practice strives to give patients comprehensive dental care. To that end, we perform many preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, including emergency procedures. Plus, our office can handle tooth extractions and gum disease therapy! For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (973)-731-2200.