How to Effectively Prevent the Causes of Tooth Loss

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If you haven’t already lost one or more teeth, then you may grow more concerned about your risks of losing them as you grow older. Which, in turn, could prompt you to more seriously consider what is the best way to prevent tooth loss. Since the causes can vary, the precise methods of preventing it can vary. However, the most effective method of preventing tooth loss is to prevent the common issues that lead to tooth loss in the first place.

Gum Disease

As the second-most common dental health issue among adults in the United States (tooth decay ranks number one), gum disease remains the most common reason behind permanent tooth loss. Unlike tooth decay, you might not notice the signs of gum disease until it is too late to prevent tooth loss, making routine exams, cleanings, and dental treatment (when necessary) all the more important.

Tooth Decay

Though it’s the most frequently experience dental health issue, tooth decay (an internal tooth infection) is typically caught before it causes enough damage to claim a tooth. Nevertheless, if allowed to progress, or if a tooth becomes infected because it is cracked or fractured, then a tooth infection can become severe enough to cause tooth loss, or require extraction.

Tooth Damage

If your tooth is knocked out, it might be replanted with immediate emergency dental treatment, but the loss itself might not have been prevented without foresight (such is the nature of most accidents). Sometimes, though, a tooth that has sustained damaged, yet remains in place, can eventually fall out or require a tooth extraction if not restored immediately.

How to Save Your Teeth

With the exception of accidental avulsion (a knocked-out tooth), you can typically prevent tooth loss by brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day to control harmful dental plaque. As the source of both tooth decay and gum disease, the bacteria in plaque can be considered the origin of the most common causes of tooth loss. Also, be sure to attend a dental checkup and cleaning on a regular basis, usually every six months, or as often as recommended.

Let Your Dentist Help You Prevent Tooth Loss

Besides helping you prevent dental issues from forming, your dentist can also carefully inspect your teeth and gums, and recommend appropriate treatment to reduce your risks of tooth loss. To schedule your appointment, call Gentle Smiles in Dallas, TX, today at 972-329-7645 (972-329-SMILE).