The bottom line is – if you don’t take care of your teeth, they will simply just go away.
We expect tooth loss in young children. It’s considered a positive sign when a baby tooth is lost to make way for a permanent tooth. Obviously, tooth loss for adults is a completely different story.
Many decades ago, tooth loss was considered normal as you aged. But missing teeth make it difficult to eat, speak and smile confidently, not to mention the impact they have on your oral health.
Causes for Tooth Loss
There are many reasons why you might lose a tooth. Understanding those causes can increase your awareness of the state of your oral health and prevent problems that contribute to tooth loss.
Poor oral hygiene – If you don’t brush and floss daily, cavities and gum disease can occur, making tooth loss more likely. Our dentist recommends you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. It is also advisable to visit your dentist every six months for check-ups and cleanings.
Poor nutrition – Foods that contain a lot of sugar, carbohydrates, and acids can damage your teeth and gums. Avoid a diet heavy with these types of foods to increase the longevity of your teeth.
Poor habits – Tooth grinding (bruxism) wears down and weakens your teeth over time. If you have a significant problem bruxism, you can actually fracture a tooth! Smoking or chewing tobacco are two bad habits that aggravate gum disease that can ultimately lead to tooth loss.
Contact sports – Some kids, teenagers or young adults play contact sports regularly. These include football, hockey, basketball, martial arts and so on. Wearing a mouth guard is very important to prevent trauma that can fracture of injure a tooth.
Dental Anxiety – Some people are so afraid of dental visits that they simply never go, even if they have a tooth ache. Avoiding dental visits is counterproductive because at some point you’re going to need dental work. At that point, you may be looking at much more complicated problems to fix.
The Family Dentist Troy is Here to Help!
If any of these situations apply to you, we encourage you to contact the Family Dentist Troy to arrange an appointment. We want you to experience excellent oral health, and we can give you guidance on turning these bad habits around.