Upon finding out that you have gum disease, you’ll naturally want to ask your dentist about what treatment options are available. Depending on how advanced your gum disease is, they may sometimes recommend a tooth extraction. Will this treatment help put a stop to the problem? And if not, what is its actual purpose? Here’s what you should know before having a tooth removed as part of your gum disease treatment.
Will a Tooth Extraction Stop Gum Disease?
Simply put, the answer is no. Gum disease occurs when the gum tissue that protects the roots of your teeth becomes infected. As such, removing a tooth won’t do anything to get rid of the problem; the infection will still be present, and it will gradually grow more severe over time unless further action is taken.
Why is a Tooth Extraction Sometimes Needed for Gum Disease?
Even though a tooth extraction cannot put a stop to gum disease, it can still be a necessary step for dealing with the problems created by the condition. During the later stages of gum disease, the teeth can come loose because the gum and bone tissue that normally support them have deteriorated too much. If a loose tooth cannot be saved, then extracting it could be the only remaining option.
So, How Can You Treat Gum Disease?
In order to directly address your gum disease, your dentist may recommend one of the following treatments:
- Scaling and Root Planing: Scaling involves getting rid of any harmful bacteria that may have built up under the gum line, thus treating gum disease at the source. After that, root planing can be performed to smooth out the roots of the teeth to make it harder for bacteria to accumulate on them.
- Antibiotic Therapy: To help fight the presence of bacteria in your mouth, antibiotics may be prescribed. The exact type of antibiotic used in your case can vary. For example, some patients may receive ARESTIN®, which is applied directly to any pockets that may have formed between the teeth and gums.
- Perio Protect Trays: Perio Protect trays are meant to be worn for a certain amount of time each day so that they can deliver medication to the pockets in your gums where harmful bacteria may be hiding. This is often recommended as a noninvasive treatment option for gum disease.
You don’t want to ignore gum disease – or any of its consequences – for too long. As soon as you have reason to think that your gums might be infected, talk to your dentist to find out what steps you should take next to protect your oral health.
About the Author
Dr. Michitti is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He has achieved Mastership status in the Academy of General Dentistry, and he has completed more than 1,000 hours of continuing education. At Lifetime Dental of Agawam, he offers tooth extractions as well as various forms of gum disease treatment. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Michitti, visit his website or call (413) 786-4400.