Gum Health

The Most Common Reason for Missing Teeth

Extensive decay is the general assumption for the reason for tooth loss. But the most frequent cause is periodontal or gum disease. Bleeding gums while brushing or flossing is a sign of this infection. But sometimes there are no signs until the stage of infection has become severe. With early treatment, the infection can be reversed with nonsurgical methods. If you wait too long to take care of the problem, surgery may be the only option.

Gum Disease Can Contribute to Serious Health Conditions

Medical research has determined that gum disease has a link to serious conditions like diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. According to the American Dental Association, over three-quarters of the American population has periodontal infection at some level. Dentists consider this to be an epidemic, due to the seriousness of the infection and the percentage of the population afflicted.

The bacteria in the gums travel throughout the bloodstream, affecting the normal functioning of major organs. The American Academy of Periodontology reports, "studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases."

Advanced and Effective Treatments for Gum Disease

It is important to seek treatment at the earliest stages of gum disease. If you wait too long, surgery may be your only option. With milder cases, nonsurgical means can successfully reverse the problem. Both options are generally provided for under dental insurance plans.

Is There a Problem with Missing Teeth?

Yes! There can be more than one problem caused by absent teeth. Due to bone loss, your face can take on a sunken look over time, adding years to your facial appearance. Speech is not always clear and can cause embarrassment. Your ability to chew food properly is diminished, so you will not absorb as many nutrients as you should. Easier-to-chew foods may become part of your daily diet, resulting in unwanted weight gain. Having even one missing tooth can cause adjacent teeth to shift and loosen.

We recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. They come up through the gums, look very natural, and function like your own teeth. They recapture a beautiful smile and remedy all the problems due to missing teeth.

Returning Your Gums to a Healthy State

Dr. Marino is very pleased to be able to treat patients with gum disease with a very effective antibiotic, Arestin™. Working on time release to combat the infection, it is applied directly to the inflamed, deep pockets and works to kill all the bacteria and allow your gums to return to a healthy state. You will be pleased to know it is a painless method, and it effectively takes care of the problem.

We can help arrest your gum disease and bring your smile back to health. Give us a call today at (858) 578-0800.