“Can gum disease cause your teeth to fall out?”
My father has gum disease after years of chewing tobacco, and I'm worried about his health overall. We're happy that he can manage it, but what would happen if he doesn't treat it? Would his teeth fall out?
12 Answers
I am glad you are looking out for your father. Gum disease if left untreated can lead to tooth loss. It sounds like a complete, comprehensive dental evaluation would be best to determine his current oral health status. Untreated gum disease can also affect medical health as there are currently over 70 diseases linked to gum disease (periodontal disease) - such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease just to name a few. The cleaner you keep your mouth the less likely you are to have bacteria from your mouth get into your blood vessels and cause systemic problems.
Yes, but usually there are infections and pain first.
Yes, they could fall out one at a time.
The end result of untreated gum disease is tooth loss. Either falling out or extraction due to pain.
Possibly. You should see a dentist asap.
Yes! One of the consequences of gum disease is loss of the tooth. Therefore, we recommend the management of gum disease as it affects overall health. Hence gum "disease."
YES! 70% of all teeth extracted are due to gum disease. It is by far the most common reason teeth are extracted.
Absolutely!!!!
Primary cause of tooth loss is gum disease. Please have him follow up with his dentist regarding treatment of his gums.
Ramona
Primary cause of tooth loss is gum disease. Please have him follow up with his dentist regarding treatment of his gums.
Ramona
Gum disease or periodontitis causes bone loss around teeth. The bone is what holds the teeth in and the gums protect the bone. With progressive bone loss, the teeth will become loose and can fall out if it gets to be severe. Also, uncontrolled gum disease is a risk factor for several other inflammatory diseases including cardiovascular disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, pre-term labor with weight babies, diabetes, lung infections, and increased incidence of certain cancers. Your father should be evaluated by a periodontist to see what his oral health status is and what options there are to treat his problems.
Sincerely
Dr. Stan Halpern
Sincerely
Dr. Stan Halpern
Gum disease if not treated, may cause you to lose your teeth. Chewing tobacco along with gum disease can speed up the process. Chewing tobacco bathes your entire mouth with nicotine. There are other items in chewing tobacco. My biggest concern is mouth cancer. I am sure your father has been seeing a doctor and being monitored for mouth cancer. Your father's treatment for gum disease cannot be done while he is chewing tobacco. Nicotine prevents healing. It doesn't matter if his gum disease is treated surgically or by laser treatment. Healing time takes months. Is your father planning to stop chewing tobacco? If he is, that would be great. Gum disease, if not treated, will eventually cause tooth loss.
If left untreated, gum disease will cause pain, swelling, shifting and eventually the loosening and loss of teeth.
When gum disease goes untreated the infection starts destroying the underlying bone which holds the teeth
