What are the main causes of tooth loss?

As an adult, experiencing the problem of tooth loss can be a costly and distressing experience that can affect your general health and confidence. You might be experiencing tooth loss for various reasons, ranging from harmful behaviors to poor eating habits. Many Americans suffer the problem of tooth loss due to poor oral hygiene and natural aging.

One of the best ways to prevent tooth loss is to understand its causes. Taking care of your oral health can help with the longevity of your teeth. One of the main advantages of good oral hygiene is that you have control over your tooth loss. 

Some common causes of tooth loss have been given below. It will help you to understand why it is so vital to maintaining an oral health routine:

Gum disease: Gum disease is the most important cause of tooth loss. It happens when the bacterias accumulate on the teeth’ surface, leading to inflammation in the gums. The first phase is Gingivitis. Gingivitis is common, as half of all adults experience it.

With proper care, it is something that can be reversed. If gingivitis is not treated, pockets between the gum and teeth can form and fill up with bacteria, and the gingivitis would transform into gum disease.

It becomes impossible to eliminate the bacteria in your mouth after the gingivitis transforms into gum disease, which may lead to tooth loss. An oral hygiene routine is your best bet to stem gum disease. Take dental help regularly.

Physical injury: Injuries due to outdoor activities, spots, or even an accident, can lead to tooth loss. The best way to protect yourself from injury is to wear a mouthguard when playing sports or doing any physical activity.

Poor Eating Habits: Everything that we eat affects our oral health. Foods that have high levels of sugar can contribute to decay. Oral bacteria feed on the sugars you eat to create acids that destroy the enamel. These cavities can quickly progress past the enamel into deeper layers, causing significant pain and tooth loss.

Regular consumption of drinks and foods that contain high acidity and sugar levels will increase the chances of cavities in your teeth. If the cavities are left untreated, these can progress. If you change your diet and consume more low-acidity and low-sugar foods such as milk, vegetables, water, whole grains, etc., your teeth can remain cavity free and strong. 

Regular visits to the dentist for teeth cleaning and checkups can also help to reduce your potential tooth loss and chances of decay.

Certain diseases: Some diseases can make you susceptible to tooth loss and gum diseases. For example, diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis are all diseases that can affect your oral health. To combat these diseases, regular trips to the dentist can work. Inform your dentist of any other health factor impacting your oral health.

Risk factors: Harmful behaviors like smoking, poor diet, and nutrition intake can impact the health of your gums and teeth, leading to tooth loss. Following a healthy lifestyle, attending dental appointments regularly, and maintaining good oral hygiene are vital to ensure your teeth stay intact.

Why is oral health important to prevent tooth loss?

Taking care of your oral health is essential for your teeth, gums, and overall health. Brush your teeth properly twice a day for 2 minutes. Use mouthwash and toothpaste with fluoride, which can help to protect against future cavities. Flossing can also help to prevent tooth loss.

Attending dental checkups every six months is vital to your oral health. It is essential to eat a balanced diet to avoid the problem of tooth loss. Limit candy intake, pastries, sugary drinks, coffee, and tea. These foods can mix with the deadly bacteria in your mouth and cause gum diseases.

If you suffer from the conditions that put you at risk of tooth loss, visit a periodontist and or a dental implant specialist who can help to preserve your teeth. Tooth loss can be a life-changing circumstance as it can negatively affect your psychological and physical well-being. Visit a dentist today to discuss how to live confidently and comfortably again.