Gum disease is a common oral health condition, affecting approximately half of all adults over the age of 30. Though many people have contracted this infection of the gum tissue, the condition can cause severe dental damage without treatment from a dental professional.
Periodontal disease can negatively affect both the structure and appearance of your smile and requires intervention from your dentist to eradicate it. Dr. David Rever, a dentist located in Silver Spring, MD, lists three cosmetic dental issues that may develop in patients with gum disease.
Swollen Gums
Periodontal disease can cause visible symptoms in your gums, including swelling, soreness, and bleeding. This condition can detract from the brilliance of your smile, so many patients seek treatment from their dentists to get rid of the puffy and red appearance in the infected gum tissue.
To clear out the infection of gum disease, dentists will thoroughly clean a patient’s teeth and gums, especially in hard-to-reach spots like deep in the gum pocket. This extensive cleaning method is known as scaling and root planing. Your dentist may recommend more targeted periodontal therapy with laser dentistry for more stubborn cases of gum disease.
Crooked Teeth
As gum disease progresses, the damaged gum tissue may recede, exposing more of the surface of your teeth when you smile. This could create spacing discrepancies in your smile, such as gaps between your teeth and black triangles. After treating your periodontal concerns, your dentist can fill gaps in your smile with dental bonding treatment.
Teeth may also shift out of place and overlap or become crooked due to the damaged gum tissue. Your dentist can provide orthodontic solutions to realign your smile and lower your risk of dental harm that may develop when your smile is uneven. Invisalign, clear-colored plastic aligners, offers a subtle and discreet way to gradually straighten your teeth.
Missing Teeth
Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adult dental patients. This can occur when advanced gum disease reaches the root of a tooth and causes it to deteriorate to the point that it falls out of its socket.
Missing teeth leave wide gaps in your smile that may make patients lose confidence in their appearance. Tooth replacement treatments, like dental implants, are available, but they can be expensive and invasive.
Therefore, dentists emphasize preventative measures when it comes to periodontal health. You can practice good oral hygiene habits, including brushing your teeth twice each day and flossing daily, to prevent bacteria from infecting your gums.
Learn More from Your Dentist in Silver Spring, MD
Advanced Total Dental Care offers quality gum disease care and other dental treatments to patients of all ages. Dr. Rever is a highly qualified dentist practicing in Silver Spring, MD. To schedule an appointment, contact our office by calling 301-637-0960 or reach our staff online.