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Seventy-five percent of all tooth loss is due to the type of infection you have. When your gums and bone are damaged by infection, there is less support for your teeth. As this support disappears your teeth first become loose and then can be lost.
When periodontal treatment is recommended, it is important to get started right away. Without treatment, the infection continues to eat away at the gums and bone which anchor your teeth. As the infection continues, you can start to lose your teeth one at a time. Then, your natural teeth will have to be replaced with dental work, such as bridges; implants; and partial or full dentures.
If tooth loss continues, it can lead to dentures. Most patients don't understand what it means to wear dentures all of their waking hours. There can be many problems with dentures, including the inability to eat certain foods; lowered ability to taste and feel foods; lisping or clacking when speaking; bad breath or smell; pain or discomfort; self-consciousness or embarrassment; and looking older than you are.
The dental profession has made great strides in costmetic dentistry. However, tooth and bone loss due to periodontal infection can make you "age": It can cause a "sunken in" look in your cheeks; wrinkling around your lips; and the appearance of wearing dentures.
Face it--it's better and less expensive to keep them than to loose your natural teeth to periodontal disease.
For more information on Periodontal Disease and its treatment, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Foley, please click here. |
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