When it comes to oral health, we often focus on our teeth. However, we tend to overlook the importance of our gums. The health of your gums can actually impact your overall well-being. As a result, it is crucial to avoid gum issues like gum disease. 

Gum disease is an infection of the pink soft tissues that support your teeth. Although it is vital to address gum disease for health reasons, it can also affect the look of your face and smile. If you want to maintain your health and dazzling smile, you should seek treatment for gum disease if you see symptoms. Early treatment can preserve your smile. 

The Connection Between Gum Disease and Your Face

Receding Gums and Tooth Length: Advanced gum disease can cause the gums to recede, exposing more of the tooth roots. This leads to a longer tooth appearance, making your teeth appear longer than usual. The longer tooth length can affect the overall harmony of your smile and facial aesthetics.

Facial Sagging and Premature Aging: Healthy gums support the underlying bone structure, helping maintain facial contours. However, gum disease can lead to bone loss, resulting in facial sagging and a prematurely aged appearance. This can manifest as deepening smile lines, sunken cheeks, and thinning lips.

Changes in Lip Line: Gum disease can cause a change in the position of your lip line. Receding gums can expose more of the tooth structure. As a result, the upper lip appears thinner and more drawn in. This alteration in lip position can impact your smile’s overall balance and attractiveness.

Treating Gum Disease to Preserve Your Face

Professional Dental Cleanings: Regular dental cleanings are essential for preventing and treating gum disease. During a professional cleaning, a dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar buildup from above and below the gum line. This will reduce the risk of gum infection and damage to facial aesthetics.

Scaling and Root Planing: For those with gum disease, your dentist may recommend a deep cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing. This treatment removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces and smoothes the root surfaces. This process encourages gum reattachment. You can minimize the impact on your facial appearance if you address gum disease in its early stages.

Gum Grafting: In cases of significant gum recession, you may need a gum grafting procedure to restore the gumline’s aesthetics and protect the exposed tooth roots. This surgical procedure takes gum tissue from another area of your mouth or uses donor tissue to cover the receded areas. Afterward, you can enjoy a more balanced and pleasing smile.

Orthodontic Treatment: Gum disease can lead to tooth movement and misalignment due to bone loss. Orthodontic treatment, such as braces or clear aligners, can help realign teeth affected by gum disease, restoring both oral health and facial aesthetics.

Dental Implants: Advanced gum disease can lead to tooth loss, significantly impacting your smile and facial appearance. Dental implants offer a reliable solution by replacing missing teeth and restoring your facial structure. They provide support to the jawbone and prevent further bone loss.