{"id":134,"date":"2024-10-24T11:40:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-24T11:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentalcenteroflakewood.com\/blog\/?p=134"},"modified":"2024-11-08T23:40:54","modified_gmt":"2024-11-08T23:40:54","slug":"how-gum-disease-affects-face-shape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dentalcenteroflakewood.com\/blog\/2024\/10\/24\/how-gum-disease-affects-face-shape\/","title":{"rendered":"A Hollow Look: How Gum Disease Affects Face Shape"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Many people assume gum disease<\/a> just harms your gums, given its name. That said, the condition does more than damage the tissues around your teeth. It also warps the shape of your face as it worsens, causing your good looks to decline. Your Dallas dentist will even show you how that\u2019s possible with some handy explanations. To that end, keep reading to learn how gum disease affects face shape and tips on avoiding (or managing) this oral issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Exactly *is* Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before getting into the face shape discussion, you\u2019ll need to know the basics of gum disease. Those facts will provide you with the relevant context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, gum disease is an infection of your gums \u2013 the soft tissues around your teeth. It usually stems from plaque buildup caused by poor eating, bad oral hygiene, etc. As it takes root, it begins as a mild gum inflammation with only minor symptoms: gingivitis. The disease shifts into a full-blown infection \u2013 periodontitis \u2013 if it isn\u2019t treated in time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The truth is that gum disease is awful for oral health in its second stage. Once it turns into periodontitis, it can make your gums ache and bleed, loosen your teeth, and worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does It Affect Your Face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By acting upon your gums, gum disease can cause your face\u2019s shape to degrade. This process makes you look older than you are and appear worn out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem is that severe gum disease can lead to tooth loss. As it erodes your body\u2019s gum and jaw tissues, teeth can fall out and deprive your jaw of stimulus. Your jawbone will then shrink and trigger facial collapse \u2013 a condition that morphs your face to look sunken, hollow, and aged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Missing teeth can easily be replaced, but a shrunken jaw is hard to fix. Doing so can require invasive bone grafts that take time to implement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips on Avoiding & Managing Gum Disease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can keep gum disease from affecting your face by avoiding or managing it. Given that fact, try using the following tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n