You probably already are aware that brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily can prevent tooth decay and gum disease. It consistently removes plaque buildup and bacteria that can erode your enamel or penetrate your connective tissue.
But did you know that consistently cleaning your teeth can potentially preserve your facial structure? Continue reading to learn more about how advancing gum disease can impact your visage!
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease occurs when the connective tissues that support your teeth become infected. It’s an incredibly common issue that impacts an estimated 47.2%, or nearly half, of all American adults. The earliest stage is known as gingivitis and can often be reversed with a more diligent at-home dental hygiene routine and professional dental cleanings.
However, if it’s left unaddressed, it can progress into periodontitis, which is much more dangerous. This later stage of the disease causes receding gum lines, leaving your teeth without a firm enough foundation. Eventually, they can become loose or fall out altogether.
To make matters worse, advanced gum disease can enter the bloodstream and contribute to other health concerns like diabetes and heart problems.
How Can Gum Disease Affect My Facial Structure?
The way your gums look can impact how you perceive your smile. When they become infected, they’ll look darker red and start to pull away from your enamel. More of your teeth will show through, but they may develop a slightly jagged appearance as your gumline becomes less even. Furthermore, hardened accumulations of plaque called tartar can build up, leaving your grin more yellow than white.
That’s not all, though. Periodontitis results in a 50% loss of the structural integrity that holds your pearly whites in place. When they fall out, it can affect your jawbone density and impact your face.
How Does Tooth Loss Affect My Facial Structure?
When you bite down, the roots of your teeth deliver important nutrients to your jawbone, keeping it active and healthy. Research has shown that patients can lose as much as 25% of the jaw bone ridge width within the first year following tooth loss, and this degeneration only continues over time.
This can shorten the height of your face, decrease the angle next to your lips, and deepen vertical lines. Unfortunately, this increases the angles under the nose, making it appear larger. You might also experience a change in your bite alignment that causes your chin to rotate forward, giving you a more aged appearance.
As you can see, caring for your teeth properly does much more than keep your smile happy and healthy. It can also preserve your facial structure and contribute to your general well-being!
About the Practice
At Texas Dental Surgery, you benefit from two dentists dedicated to providing solutions to even the most complex dental cases. Dr. Walker is a Board-Certified Periodontist and Dr. Houari is a Board-Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, and they work together to provide individualized surgical solutions to improve your oral health. They’re experts on gum health and rebuilding smiles, so you can trust that you’re in good hands. Whether you need a tooth extracted or want to replace missing teeth with implants, they can help. You can request an appointment on the website or call (469) 296-8680.