What is The Number One Reason For Tooth Loss?

The number one reason for tooth loss is periodontal disease. It is a severe form of gingivitis, also known as gum disease. Periodontal disease can be caused by various factors, which include genetics, smoking, and poor dental hygiene. In addition to altering your appearance, tooth loss can cause poor self-esteem and embarrassment, consequently affecting your social life. So to avoid tooth loss, one should practice good oral hygiene and eat healthy foods. However, all hope is not lost. With the advancement of dental technology today, dentists can restore your smile even when your teeth are damaged. At Colonia Dental Associates, our dentists are well-skilled to transform your smile. Let’s discuss more reasons for tooth loss and how we can prevent it in the future.

Common Causes for Tooth loss

Many factors can bring about tooth loss. It all comes down to your oral hygiene, eating habits, and lifestyle. Knowing the causes of tooth loss helps keep your teeth intact. The most common reasons for tooth loss include the following:

Gum Disease

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is the number one cause of tooth loss. Research has shown that 70 percent of missing teeth result from gum disease. Periodontal disease is brought about by poor oral hygiene. Not brushing your teeth regularly and thoroughly leads to the accumulation of bacteria in your mouth. The bacteria then damages and weakens your gums resulting in gum disease. Some tell-tale signs of gum disease include bleeding gums and a foul odor emanating from your mouth. Severe gum disease can result in lung and heart disease. Therefore it would be best to practice good oral hygiene to protect your teeth.

Cavities

Cavities are small holes in your teeth that come from bacterial infections resulting from food buildup on your teeth. They destroy the root of your teeth and may lead to teeth extraction. Consequently, you may lose most of your teeth due to cavities.

Physical Injury

Sometimes your teeth can be knocked out in the event of physical injury. However, there are ways to prevent physical injuries, like refraining from cracking nuts or opening soda bottles with your teeth.

Smoking

Smoking leads to tartar buildup and bacteria accumulation in your teeth. The plaque accumulation, in turn, leads to teeth-related problems like gingivitis and cavities that cause teeth loss.

Diabetes

When you have diabetes, your body produces a lot of glucose. Glucose accumulation in your mouth leads to plaque buildup and eventual tooth loss.

Preventing Tooth Loss

Ways to prevent tooth loss include the following:

• Brushing using fluoride toothpaste after meals
• Rinsing your mouth after meals
• Regular dentist visits
• Drinking tap water and avoiding salt water
• Refrain from taking high-sugar foods like chocolate and candies
• Getting fluoride treatments

Missing Teeth Replacement Step by Step

Dental implants replace missing teeth. Here is a step-by-step guide on how dentists misplace missing teeth:

• Getting X Rays
• Extraction of damaged teeth
• Jawbone grafting where necessary
• Placing of dental implants
• Bone growth
• Placement of artificial teeth

Preventive Dentistry in Colonia, NJ,

Preventive dentistry entails practices to restore your teeth. Regular preventive dentistry is costly but prevents you from losing your teeth. Patients are required to observe dental care at home and during their appointments. Preventive dentistry consists of the following:

Regular Dental Exams and cleaning of teeth

The exams are sometimes done bi-annually and involve removing tartar and plaque from your teeth and gums. The dentists then examine your gums and whole mouth, and jawline. With regular dental visits, dentists can detect and treat diseases like gum disease early enough.

At Home Care

This step entails caring for your teeth at home through regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste. Patients are also advised to floss and rinse their mouths regularly to prevent tooth decay.

Dental Sealants and Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride strengthens your enamel and jawbone. Dental sealants protect your teeth from cavities by creating a barrier. A thin coat of dental cement is applied on the chewing parts of your mouth, which are hard to clean, thus minimizing tooth decay.

Observing a Good Diet

During treatment, dentists recommend observing a good diet. A good diet consists of fruits, vegetables, milk, and proteins, while an unhealthy diet consists of snacks and high-sugar foods.

Conclusion

Good oral health plays a significant role in preventing the loss of teeth. Research has it that the leading cause of teeth loss is periodontal disease, caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth due to poor oral hygiene. Other causes of gum disease include smoking. Apart from gum disease, diseases like diabetes can cause teeth loss. Therefore, the surest way to prevent teeth loss is by visiting the dentist regularly and cleaning your teeth properly.