Ignoring basic oral care can lead to severe, irreversible damage — including tooth extraction — warns Dr. Yadira Cardona-Rohena of Hamilton Mill Oral & Facial Surgery in a feature for HelloNation Magazine.
Dr. Cardona-Rohena outlines a predictable progression that starts with plaque. When plaque is not removed by daily brushing and dental floss, it hardens into calculus. Because calculus cannot be removed at home, it becomes a persistent reservoir for bacteria that inflame the gums and cause gingivitis.
Gingivitis often begins with mild swelling and bleeding. If untreated, it can escalate to periodontitis, a deeper infection that destroys the tissue and bone supporting the teeth.
As the disease advances, gums recede and pockets form around teeth, allowing bacteria to flourish and accelerating bone loss. At that stage, patients may experience pain, temperature sensitivity and loose teeth — and extraction may be the only option to stop the infection from spreading.
Tooth loss has consequences beyond appearance, Dr. Cardona-Rohena says. Missing teeth can impair chewing, alter diet and digestion, shift adjacent teeth out of position, and even change facial structure over time. Replacing lost teeth often requires implants or bridges, procedures that add complexity and cost.
Prevention remains far easier and less invasive than treatment. Dr. Cardona-Rohena recommends brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and using dental floss every day to clean between teeth and along the gumline.
She also advises routine dental checkups every six months so dentists can remove calculus, spot early decay, and treat gingivitis before it worsens.
When problems are caught early, interventions such as fluoride treatments, professional deep cleanings and minor restorations can halt disease and preserve teeth. Delay, she warns, increases the likelihood that extraction will become necessary and that more extensive care will follow.
Dr. Cardona-Rohena’s message is direct: everyday habits — especially brushing and dental floss use — plus regular dental visits are essential to preventing gum disease and protecting long-term oral health.