We often talk about how to address the loss of one or more of your teeth, but what causes a person to lose one or more of their teeth? In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI, dentist discusses the common factors behind adult tooth loss, and the importance of replacing these lost teeth to protect your overall health and facial structure.
The Causes of Tooth Loss
Why do we lose our teeth? For some, the causes could be an injury that knocks them out. If a tooth becomes damaged or develops a cavity that isn’t treated, this could expose the sensitive inner tooth structure to bacteria, leading to worsening decay or an infected tooth. You could then develop serious discomfort and risk losing the tooth altogether. However, the most common cause of missing teeth is gum disease. The advanced stage, known as periodontitis, actually attacks and destroys the tissues that connect the teeth and gums. As the tissue dissolves, the teeth become loose and eventually fall out.
The Long-Term Health Impacts
When we lose our teeth, this could make eating our favorite foods difficult and deprives our bodies of essential nutrients. The changes to your smile could upset bite balance and strain your jaw joints, increasing the risk of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). For others, surrounding teeth could drift from position and cause misalignment, which alone could increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, as routine brushing and flossing becomes more difficult.
The body could also recognize the presence of a missing tooth, and suspend doses of calcium and phosphorus to the jawbone. Without these nutrients, the bone tissue actually begins to break down. Over time, this not only leads to further tooth loss, but could lead to an older appearance. Which is why preventing tooth loss, or addressing your missing teeth with implant dentistry, is essential for maintaining your smile’s health and beauty.
Solutions with Implant Dentistry
Since a dental implant is inserted into the jawbone, and accepted as a natural tooth root, this stimulates the growth of jawbone tissue. Your smile doesn’t loss mass and density, and you limit the risk of further tooth loss too. Not only can dental implants address a single missing tooth, but several can be used to anchor a bridge or full denture in place. If you have any questions about tooth loss, then contact our team today.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT IMPLANT DENTISTRY?
Our team helps address missing teeth with secure and long-lasting replacement options, which also offer a lifelike appearance as well. To learn more about replacing missing teeth, call James Stewart, DDS, dental implant office in Livonia, MI, at (734) 425-4400. We also serve the residents of Farmington, Plymouth, Dearborn Heights, and all surrounding communities.