In the lifelong journey of keeping your smile healthy for life, you may have to deal with the threat of tooth loss in one way or another. Perhaps your dentist takes note of your increased risk of it and advises you to take steps to prevent it. Or, you might experience tooth loss due to one or more underlying factors, and need to restore your smile by replacing the lost tooth or teeth. The good news is you have a better chance at preventing it with regular care from your dentist. If you experience tooth loss, you can fully rebuild your smile with the right custom-designed restoration.
Addressing the causes of tooth loss
When dealing with the threat of tooth loss, understanding the common causes of it is essential. For many people, the biggest risk factor is the presence of gum disease. In its severe form, gum disease is the most common cause of adult tooth loss, due largely to the damage it causes to your gum tissues and jawbone structure. This means preventing issues like gum disease, or addressing them if they’ve developed, is one of the most important steps to preventing tooth loss from affecting your smile.
Your current risk factors for tooth loss
Preventing issues like gum disease, tooth decay, and other common threats is the best way to improve your chances of preventing tooth loss. Yet, if you do develop a chronic dental concern, that doesn’t mean tooth loss is imminent. With advanced, highly personalized dental care, you can address the issue conservatively to save your healthy natural tooth structure from being lost, or needing to be extracted. In addition to treating existing dental concerns, your dentist will also assess your current risk factors for tooth loss and help you manage them to better preserve your smile.
Restoring your smile after tooth loss
If you’ve already experienced tooth loss, then the absence of the tooth (especially its root) could be another significant factor in your risks of losing more. This is due to several of the more profound impacts of tooth loss, including the diminished stimulation that causes your jawbone to lose mass and density. To lower this risk, your dentist might recommend replacing the lost tooth with a dental implant-supported restoration. Dental implants replace lost teeth roots, and as a result, restore the stimulation that was lost within your jawbone. This can help prevent the erosion that typically follows and lower your risks of losing more teeth due to a weaker jawbone.
Learn about preventing and treating tooth loss
Tooth loss can result from a number of different factors, and understanding your specific risks for it can help you better prevent it, or deal with it if it occurs. For more information, schedule an appointment by calling Gentle Smiles in Dallas, TX, today at 972-329-7645 (972-329-SMILE).
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