Swollen Gums Can Lead To Loss Of Teeth

Most people mistakenly think since their teeth are firmly imbedded in their jawbone, something as simple as swollen gums will have no bearing on them. However, they don’t realize keeping their teeth in place can be a struggle. The reality is swollen gums, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. In fact, the gums help hold them in place. If not lost, the spacing between the teeth can be affected by the swollen gums depending on the severity of the condition.

Imagine the gums as a spacer for the teeth. When they swell due to infection caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth, they can begin to bulge through the existing space. The gums’ swelling can push the teeth apart. As the gums recede, allowing the teeth to become loose in the mouth, they will eventually become so loose they will fall out.

In most instances, if treatment is sought out after the first sign of swollen gums things will be fine. However, if poor dental hygiene has played a role in the swollen gums, it will continue. This could occur until the condition is so bad the teeth have little gum to hold them in their place. The gums may become upraised making the teeth appear longer than they actually are as more of the tooth becomes exposed. On top of the unsightly appearance, the gums will become painful when even lightly touched. As the condition worsens the teeth may bleed when brushed even lightly.

Eating can become a painful experience as the action will apply pressure on the swollen gums and teeth. There may be inflammation of the gums, which usually accompanies the swelling. This will cause the swelling to feel like a toothache which is notoriously one of the worst pains suffered. If the person continues to ignore the problem hoping it will go away on its own, the teeth will become loose in their sockets. With no gum line to hold them in place they will eventually fall out.

The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis. While this condition is completely curable, it can lead to worse forms of gum disease such as pyorrhea (commonly known as periodontitis) and another condition called manila. When the infection in the mouth reaches these later stages, professional interference will be needed to save the teeth.

In most instances, an infection is an infection! If the infectious bacterium seeps from the swollen gums and enters the blood stream, the bacteria can infect other areas of the body. It has also been shown the plaque from tooth infections is similar to the plaque that builds up in the arteries causing heart attack or stroke.