As the name implies, gum disease primarily affects your gums. However, what will start out as a bleeding or swollen gumline can turn into hollow cheeks and sagging skin when left untreated.
“How does an oral condition that attacks the pink, fleshy tissue around your teeth affect your facial features?” you might ask. Keep reading to find out!
The Purpose of Your Gums
The first thing you need to understand is what exactly your gums do for you. It’s not something most people think about regularly, but how do your teeth stay in place? What’s stopping them from falling right out of your mouth? That would be your gums! A healthy gumline wraps around your dental roots and supports your pearly whites, allowing them to function and help you chew.
When Gingivitis Progresses
Gum disease starts out as “gingivitis,” which is essentially the technical term for its early stage. At this point, the disease is still mild, and often treatable. You might notice oral bleeding when you brush or floss, and your gums might appear red or puffy. Your overall facial structure won’t look different yet, but your smile will appear aged as your gumline starts to recede.
Without treatment, gingivitis will advance to “periodontitis,” a more severe form of gum disease. As your gums continue to deteriorate, your teeth will lose support and fall out. That would be enough to significantly change how your skin rests around your mouth, but teeth that go unreplaced can lead to jawbone loss, because the bone no longer receives stimulation from the dental roots. That’s when your chin, jowls, and facial angles will start to change shape!
Preventing Gum Disease and Facial Hollowing
No one wants their face to appear sallow and aged, so what’s the best way to prevent gum disease from developing in the first place? Two words: oral hygiene! Brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once per day helps mitigate the growth of bacteria that cause harmful oral illnesses like gum disease.
If you do contract gingivitis or develop periodontitis, your dentist can provide treatment with a deep cleaning or other gum disease therapy techniques. The sooner you take care of your smile, the better, so don’t hesitate to contact your dentist if you have concerns!
About the Practice
Dr. Andrew Aziz and Dr. Sunghyeok Hong have several years of experience in the field of dentistry. They’re dedicated to their patients and work hard to maintain a comfortable and stress-free office environment. With their skills, knowledge, and quality care, you can trust Dr. Aziz and Dr. Sunghyeok to help protect your smile from gum disease. To contact their office, call 301-698-9552.