How Can Gum Disease Affect the Shape of Your Face?

You may expect to see small changes in your face as the years and decades pass, but certain factors can accelerate changes in your appearance. In fact, advanced gum disease even has the potential to significantly impact the way you look! How can gum disease affect the shape of your face, and what can you do to protect yourself from it? This blog post explains some important information.

Changes in Bone Structure

Some people believe that gum disease only affects the gum tissue. However, that is not true. In its advanced stages, gum disease can eat away at the bones that support your teeth. Not only can this lead to tooth loss, but it can also cause the jawbone to shorten, when can make your face look shorter as well.

Tooth Loss

Advanced gum disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss among adults. As you lose your teeth, this can contribute to further bone deterioration in the jaw. In fact, as much as 25% of the jawbone ridge may be lost within the first year of tooth loss.

Tooth loss can have yet another consequence for your face. Multiple missing teeth can take support away from your cheeks, causing them to have a hollow, sunken appearance.

Muscle Changes

Tooth loss and bone loss can adversely affect the muscles around your mouth. For example, as the lips lose support from behind them, the upper lip may take on a longer, more pronounced look. It is also possible for the lips to develop a perpetually downturned appearance, which may cause you to look unhappy even when your face is at rest.

Chin Position

Bone loss in the jaw can interfere with the relationship between your upper and lower dental arches, thereby adversely affecting your bite. A bad bite may cause your chin to rotate forward, causing you to look much older than you are.

How to Protect Your Appearance

Gum disease and the accompanying tooth loss can take a serious toll on your appearance! Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself:

• Keep up with a thorough oral hygiene routine. Regular brushing and flossing are among the best things you can do to prevent the onset of gum disease.
• Visit your dentist regularly. Preventive cleanings and checkups can protect your gum health. Your dentist can also give you personalized tips for preventing and/or reversing the early stages of gum disease.
• Seek treatment at the first sign of trouble. If your gums seem red or swollen, they bleed easily when you brush, or you have bad breath that just will not go away, you might have a mild case of gum disease. It would be best to seek treatment before your condition worsens.

Gum disease could lead to drastic changes in your face! Be proactive about protecting your oral health so you can preserve what you see in the mirror.

Meet the Practice

Blue Coast Dental Group offers truly comprehensive oral care to the Torrance, CA, community. In fact, we even have an on-staff periodontist (gum health specialist) who offers a range of treatments to help patients recover from gum disease. We also provide state-of-the-art tooth replacement for patients who have an incomplete smile. If you would like to learn more about how our team may be able to help you enjoy sound oral health and an attractive appearance, contact our office at 310-424-3100.