Manicures, facials, and other beauty treatments have the potential to make you feel fresh, new, and confident. The same thing is true of cosmetic dentistry. However, qualifying for cosmetic dental treatments can sometimes require a bit of preparatory work. For example, your dentist might determine that you need gum disease treatment. Why can that be a critical step on your path to a smile that you love (and love to show off)? This blog post explains.
How Gum Disease Can Affect Your Smile
Gum disease, which is also known as periodontal disease, occurs when bacteria attack the pink tissue at the base of the teeth. It afflicts about half of adults in the U.S. As common as it is, though, it is also quite serious. Without appropriate treatment, it could advance to the point where it destroys the gums and bone around your teeth, causing your teeth to become loose and perhaps even fall out altogether. In other words, severe gum disease could completely ruin the results of any cosmetic dental service that you might choose to undergo.
Even less serious cases of gum disease can spell trouble for cosmetic procedures. It can cause slight gum recession, which may make your teeth appear unusually long. As the gums shrink back and your tooth roots are exposed, your teeth may be vulnerable to increased sensitivity and discomfort. Cosmetic treatments could be very unpleasant for you.
It is also worth mentioning that some of the aspects of your smile that you dislike may be because of gum disease. In addition to making your teeth appear long, it can also cause red and swollen gums, bad breath, and other aesthetic issues. Receiving gum disease treatment could do much to make you feel better about the way your smile looks and feels!
What to Expect with Gum Disease Treatment and Cosmetic Services
In some cases, gum disease treatment is easy and simple. You might need a procedure known as scaling and root planing, which is basically a deep cleaning of the mouth. Along with adjustments to your oral hygiene and possible antibiotic therapy, this service could rid your mouth of active infections and allow you to move forward with cosmetic treatments.
If your gum disease is advanced, you might need more extensive treatment. For example, you may need to undergo surgery to remove diseased tissue and clean out deep pockets of bacteria in your mouth. There is also a chance that you will need tooth extractions and tooth replacement. After you recover from such procedures and it looks like your gum disease is completely under control, you might qualify for purely cosmetic services.
Gum disease could delay your desired cosmetic treatment, but it does not have to stop you from achieving a smile that you love. Talk to your dentist so they can design a plan to help you reach your aesthetic and oral health goals.
Meet the Practice
At New Haven Dental Group in Hamden, we proudly provide comprehensive oral services to our community, including gum disease treatment, a range of cosmetic procedures, and more. If you are concerned about the appearance or health of your smile, we are ready to evaluate your case and recommend your next steps. To learn more about how we may be able to serve you, contact our practice at 203-587-7327.