One of the ways you can keep your teeth is by taking good care of your oral health. Adult teeth are designed to last a lifetime. However, lot of Americans today lose their teeth due to poor oral hygiene or natural ageing.
Below are the top causes of tooth loss. Getting to know them can help you take measures to avoid losing one (or more) of your pearly whites.
1. Cavities
Cavities are areas of decay that turned into holes, caused by the bacteria in your mouth. Left untreated, a cavity can eventually destroy the tooth’s pulp, resulting in a root canal, or worse, tooth removal.
You can be proactive in preventing cavities by practicing good oral hygiene, eating tooth-friendly foods, and by being diligent in your dental visits for early cavity detection. Remember, preventative dentistry can help save your tooth!
2. Gum disease
Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is one of the major causes of tooth loss in adults. 70 percent of American adults suffer from gum disease.
Periodontal disease starts with inflammation and bacteria in the gums. As the condition progresses, the gum tissues become affected, pulling away from the tooth.
3. Trauma or physical injury
Some accidents, like sports injuries, car accidents, or falls can result in tooth loss. If you have a child that engages in sports, always remind him to use his mouthguard. Everyday activities or certain behaviors, like using teeth to loosen knots, cut thread, tear off tags, or remove tops, caps, or lids can also cause you to lose your teeth. If you want your teeth to stay intact, avoid chewing on ice, popcorn kernels, or nut shells.
Other risk factors
The risk factors and conditions below can also lead to tooth loss:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Arthritis
- Poor nutrition
Practice good oral hygiene
Maintaining a good oral routine is essential, not only for your overall health, but for the health of your gums and teeth. This includes flossing and brushing regularly with a soft-bristled toothbrush. To help protect your teeth against cavities, use a mouthwash and toothpaste with fluoride.
Making regular visits to your Dallas dentist every six months is also important. However, if you have already lost your teeth and would like to know more about your treatment options, we are here for you!
