What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease, also called
gum disease is a serious health condition caused by a build-up of harmful bacteria in the mouth. When left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth and bone loss.
The teeth and jawbone work simultaneously to stay strong and healthy. Jaw bone supports teeth and keeps them in place, while the roots of the teeth engage and stimulate the bone to keep it strong. When teeth fall out from untreated periodontal disease, the bone is in jeopardy because it is no longer getting the daily stimulation it requires. Bone degeneration is a common result of tooth loss.
Dr. Darryl Field is a leading periodontist who treats periodontal disease with effective and gentle state-of-the-art technology that actually saves bone and teeth.
What is periodontal disease and tooth loss doing to my health?
- Eating well: Eating a healthy, balanced diet requires having good teeth. Missing teeth and bone can make it pretty challenging to chew the foods bodies need to stay healthy. People with missing teeth may eat less fruits, vegetables, grains and other foods in lieu of softer choices that are easier to chew.
- Speaking well: Speaking properly also requires having good teeth. During speech, the tongue is constantly making contact with teeth in order to pronounce words. More air enters the mouth when teeth are missing, which causes a lisp, and the tongue can also widen and spread into the gaps caused by missing teeth. When teeth fall out, communication suffers because words are harder to pronounce and harder for others to understand.
- Bone preservation: The jaw bone consists of a part called the alveolar, and it needs teeth to stay healthy. The alveolar bone is what supports and anchors teeth so they can function. The teeth also keep the bone functioning with daily stimulation.
- Good alignment: Teeth depend on each other to stay aligned and functional. When one or more teeth fall out, the overall alignment of the remaining teeth suffers. People with missing teeth often have an uneven bite, which can lead to stress and discomfort in the neck, jaw and head.
- Preserve facial muscle: When teeth and bone are missing, the muscles in the face can get slack and saggy. The cheeks may look hollow and/or the mouth begins to sink in. Preserving teeth and bone prevent people from looking older than they are.
What is periodontal disease?
It is a serious condition that needs to be treated. Dr. Field is a
Periodontist who can treat your gum disease and help preserve bone and teeth. Call us today for a consultation.
