Will Gum Disease Affect Cosmetic Dental Treatments?

If you’re constantly thinking about the flaws or discoloration in your teeth, the thought of transforming your smile with cosmetic dentistry is alluring. But maybe you heard an internal record scratch while going through your oral hygiene routine.

You’re right to be concerned about any of the various signs of gum disease. It’s understandable that you’d want to perfect your smile as soon as possible, but you’re probably going to want to put a pin in that plan. Here’s why.

Gum Disease is Urgent

You know gum disease is bad. After all, it’s a disease. But how bad is it really?

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. When left untreated, it will run rampant through your mouth, spreading quickly and deeply. Eventually your gum tissue and jawbone will start to deteriorate. Your teeth rely on these two things to stay in place, so as they recede, your teeth will become looser and looser – and then fall out. So, yes. It’s pretty bad.

Gum disease needs to be addressed as soon as possible. However, cosmetic treatments can take time and involve several follow up appointments. By the time your smile is transformed, you’re likely to have to fix it again to treat your gum disease. So if you suspect your teeth might be infected with gum disease, call your emergency dentist.

Can I Cure My Gum Disease?

Fortunately, if you or your dentist catch gum disease early, it’s usually treatable with a deep cleaning. Dentist sometimes call this cleaning a “scaling and root planning”, so just remember that if you see it on your dentist’s service page. Your dentist might also prescribe an antibiotic to help your gums heal and fight off bacteria.

Thanks to modern technology, some dentists can use a laser to more precisely remove bacteria and tissue infected with gum disease. This method is worth asking about, especially for those considering cosmetic treatments. The laser reduces bleeding and allows your gums to heal faster. You might be delighted to find you can more quickly move on to the next step in achieving a dazzling smile!

What Can I Do to Prevent Gum Disease?

Maybe you don’t have gum disease but are wanting to keep it far away from your mouth. Or maybe you don’t want to have to go through another deep cleaning. Either way, you can help prevent gum disease by maintaining good oral hygiene.

As noted, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the US, but this isn’t because the disease isn’t treatable. Your dentist recommends brushing twice a day, flossing every day, and visiting their office for a biannual cleaning because pristine teeth are healthy teeth. While your dentist removes difficult plaque and tartar with their specialized equipment, they can also examine your mouth for early signs of gum disease.

If you’re considering cosmetic dentistry, call your dentist to schedule a checkup and consultation. They’ll be able to tell if you need to focus on your oral health before beautifying your pearly whites and can help you develop a plan that will make sure your smile dreams become reality!

About the Practice

Our team at McComb Family Dental is ready and able to help you achieve your best smile! As members of several professional and charitable dental organizations, you can trust both their expertise and commitment to the community. They’ll treat your gum disease in a friendly, judgement-free environment and empower you to maintain dazzling pearly whites. To contact our office, call 419-293-2335 or visit our website for more information.