Gum disease is a type of infection in the gum tissue that affects about half of Americans at some point in their lives. Though common, gum disease can cause serious damage to your gums, teeth, and jaw. You will need a dentist to treat the infection and get rid of it for good.
Once your dentist eradicates the infection, some lingering issues may affect your smile. Excess bacteria can irritate and create changes in your oral health that might diminish your smile’s appearance.
Fortunately, you can talk to your dentist about smile enhancement solutions that may address these issues. Read on to learn about three potential cosmetic dental concerns that may develop due to gum disease as well as how to fix them.
Reduce Puffiness in Gums
Excess bacteria from this infection of the gum tissue will eat away at the gums, leaving you with uncomfortable periodontal symptoms. The early stage of gum disease, gingivitis, presents with inflammation in the gums. As a result, you could see swollen, red, tender, and bleeding gums.
The puffy appearance of the gum tissue can disrupt the smooth and even look of your smile. Fortunately, this inflammation will go away when your dentist treats gum disease.
The dentist thoroughly cleans bacteria and other build-ups from deep in the gum pockets to eradicate the infection. Then without this irritation, the puffiness will go down. Some patients may experience gum recession in the wake of periodontal disease, which may need further treatment to fix.
Close Gaps Between Teeth
If gum disease affects your gum tissue, making it swell or recede, you can notice a shifting in the position of your teeth too. The connective tissue keeps your teeth in place in your smile.
So if your gum health suffers, then the teeth might become crooked or form gaps between each other. Then you might feel self-conscious about the uneven and less full look in your smile.
A dentist can close minor gaps between teeth, including black triangles, with cosmetic dental solutions. They may use composite resin dental bonding to fill in gaps between teeth. Or they could recommend Invisalign to gradually push teeth into a desired straight position.
Attend a cosmetic dental consultation to find the best way to make your smile straighter and fuller once again. The dentist will want to treat gum disease first to ensure you can see the best results from smile enhancement solutions.
Replace Missing Teeth
If gum disease is not treated promptly, the infection can eat away at the gums, teeth, and jawbone. Over time, enough damage can cause the teeth to loosen in their sockets and eventually fall out. Not only will missing teeth leave gaps in your smile, but they will also heighten your risk of further oral health complications.
To restore your smile aesthetics and dental health, you should talk to your dentist about tooth replacement treatments. Ideally, you should find a comprehensive option like dental implants to maximize restorative dental benefits.
Your dentist can determine the best method of replacing lost teeth after an oral health evaluation. Do not delay this treatment if you want to prevent serious dental issues.