How Does Bone Loss Occur?

Your smile is impacted by bone loss. Bone loss occurs when gums become inflamed with bacteria that is not treated. As the pocket grows in depth and more plaque and bacteria builds up, it begins to attack the bone and your teeth. Your dentist will see that the tissue begins to pull away from the gums.

Without treatment of the periodontal disease the bacteria begins to move deeper into the pocket and will begin to attack the jawbone and the roots of the teeth. Your teeth may feel loose; your gums may bleed and be very swollen.  If you lose your teeth, the jaw is unable to get the stimulus it needs. Your smile may begin to droop as you lose teeth, causing you to look older than you really are.

Bone loss may also occur if you have an infected root. While a root canal will help heal the infection and seal the area, sometimes bacteria and infection can continue to attack the jawbone around the area where the infection is. “It is extremely important,” says Dr. Rice, one of Inland Empire’s Top Periodontist’s, “to schedule your regular visits in order to take care of any reoccurring problems.”

Dr. Denine Rice says,” One of the most common reasons  for bone loss is periodontal disease and it is preventable.” It may take years for bone loss to occur in your mouth. If you have the early stages of periodontal disease you should see your Periodontist for an extensive oral exam. Once bone loss occurs it is difficult to repair the problem and sometimes the damage is too extensive and the only option is more expensive teeth replacement choices.