Make Sure your Jawbone Stays Healthy

Lacking healthy jawbone structure is a real problem for your dental health. When jawbone is diminished, oral health is in jeopardy with tooth loss risk raised. There are both structural and cosmetic reasons for wanting to keep your jaw healthy. Without your natural teeth, you will likely feel embarrassed to smile, and over time you’ll be prone to facial collapse where your cheeks will appear sunken in. This adds years to your appearance, and can also affect your ability to eat and speak properly.

Tooth Loss from Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease (AKA gum disease) is nothing more than a bacterial infection which affects your gum tissues. Gums are designed to seal and protect the roots of your teeth. Plaque develops on everyone’s teeth, and is hard to clean off completely if you don’t brush and floss thoroughly and regularly. After 48 hours, any residual plaque hardens into tartar. Unfortunately, this biofilm is infested with bacteria. As it builds up at the gumline, your gingival tissues become inflamed and infected. The condition of gingivitis (early gum disease) is highly treatable, but as of now, no level of gum disease is completely reversible. The chronic inflammation will cause your gums to separate from the jawbone, creating bacterial traps called periodontal pockets. Eventually, without intervention, your teeth will become loose, and will require extraction if they don’t fall out on their own.

Tooth Extractions

Tooth removal leads to bone loss when your teeth are not replaced by dental implants. Natural teeth are embedded in the jawbone, attached by roots. Jawbone tissue will remain dense as a result of using your periodontal ligament when you bite and chew. It’s a similar concept to exercising your muscles and joints to keep them in good working order. If a tooth requires extraction or falls out on its own, jawbone stimulation will cease at the area where the tooth is missing, and nutrient allotment will go elsewhere in your body. When jawbone density becomes too diminished, bone grafting is a necessary prerequisite if you decide to opt for dental implants.

About Your Park Ridge Dentists:

Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas are highly-skilled restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentists serving the Park Ridge and surrounding Chicago communities. To schedule an appointment, call Loukas General Dentistry today at (847) 696-1919