Studies show that periodontal disease is prevalent in many countries including the United States. The American Dental Association recognizes that this is the second major cause of tooth loss. Tooth extraction may be in the immediate future of people with periodontal disease. It is usually a result of many factors related to their gum disorder. If you are concerned about tooth extraction for periodontal disease, here’s what you need to know.
The Explanation
You may have to prepare yourself for tooth extractions if you have gum disease. Once bacteria enter the space between your teeth and your gums, infection develops. Bacteria start to target your gums. This results in pain, swelling, and bleeding. These symptoms indicate the early stage of periodontal disease or gingivitis. Your dentist can treat this through deep cleaning and antibacterial treatment. If you visit your dentist for teeth cleaning twice a year, gingivitis is easy to catch.
Damage becomes more severe as the gum disease grows. Your gums begin to recede. Pockets start to appear in your gums. These pockets resemble small holes. They start to reveal your teeth and their roots. The exposed parts are sensitive to food and air. When this happens, you experience pain. The infection spreads from your gums to your bones. This weakens your jawbone and teeth. Bone loss or further infection makes it possible for your teeth to fall out.
When you reach this level of periodontal disease, you must schedule tooth extractions. You should have a professional dental surgeon take out your teeth. That way, the extraction is hygienic, and your risk of further infection goes down.
The Process
On the day of your tooth extraction, your dental specialist will numb the surrounding area of the affected tooth. The local anesthetic will numb your gums, tooth, and jawbone. Your dentist will wiggle the loose tooth to increase the space around it. This will make it easier for your dentist to remove the tooth. There will be no pain but expect some pressure when this happens.
If your problem is a wisdom tooth, it may not be easy to pull out. Its roots may be attached too tightly. In such a case, expect your dentist to cut your tooth into small sections to remove them more easily. Dividing the tooth will also result in less trauma to your infected gums.
Once your tooth extraction is done, your dentist will place gauze on the extraction area. This makes your blood clot. Replace the sterile gauze every five minutes. The bleeding will stop in about 45 minutes. In the next two days, you should rest and mind what you eat. Your dentist will give you a set of care instructions that you must follow at home.
Tooth extractions are inevitable if you have severe periodontitis. At Andrew J. Holloman, DDS & Associates, we encourage our patients to stick to their dental appointments. If necessary, we can perform tooth extractions to treat and tame the periodontal disease. Please visit our clinic in Clearwater, Florida, for a one-on-one consultation. You can also call us at 727-245-0027 if you want to schedule an appointment. We can also answer your questions about our tooth extraction packages for periodontal disease.