Can Extracting Teeth Cause Gum Disease to Go Away?

Battling advanced gum disease can begin to take its toll over time. The negative side effects of gum recession, loose teeth, and even bone loss can impact your oral and overall health if left untreated. You may be considering tooth extraction to remedy the issue, but does gum disease actually go away if teeth are removed? Keep reading to learn the truth.

Is Tooth Extraction the Answer to Treating Gum Disease?

Gum disease is ultimately an infection of the soft oral tissues that surround your pearly whites. When harmful bacteria attack them, they begin to bleed, become inflamed, and recede. If left untreated, the underlying bone begins to deteriorate, leading to loose teeth.

While it may be necessary to extract one or more of your teeth because of advanced gum disease, the reason for removal is not to cure the bacterial infection but to remove loose teeth that cannot be saved. The underlying problem remains whether teeth exist.

What Continues to Happen to the Gums?

Whether your dentist chooses to extract one or more of your teeth or not, gum disease still exists. Without targeting the problem – the infection – it can enter the bloodstream and begin to attack parts of the body, including the heart, brain, lungs, and other vital organs. This can lead to an increased risk of diabetes, heart attack, stroke, respiratory illness, poor cognitive function, and more.

How Can Gum Disease Be Treated?

Treating gum disease requires your dentist to closely examine your mouth and determine the severity of the infection. If periodontitis is the diagnosis, you may be required to undergo scaling and root planing, or a deep cleaning, which removes plaque and tartar from your teeth and smooths and reshapes your roots to prevent future bacterial buildup.

You might also receive antibiotic treatment, which targets pockets of harmful bacteria that can burrow deep into the gums. This topical solution disperses over time to kill any remaining infection, allowing your soft tissues to heal effectively.

Tooth extraction is not the answer if you want to address gum disease. Although it might still be necessary, alternative treatments are the most reliable way to improve and maintain your gum health over time.

About the Author
Dr. Proshat Shahrestany treats patients suffering from gum disease, regardless of its stage. Whether it’s gingivitis or advanced periodontitis, she offers effective treatment options that target bad bacteria and improve overall gum health. Her close examination and detailed plans enable her to explain her findings to her patients, helping them understand how she will address the problem and achieve optimal results. Contact us at (818) 760-0200 if you are dealing with bleeding gums and are unsure what to do.