Tooth loss affects a lot of people, especially as they age, but it doesn’t have to be an inevitable occurrence. In fact, the most common causes of tooth loss are preventable, and patients who are at high risk of losing teeth can often lower those risks with better hygiene and dental care. To determine your risks of tooth loss, be sure to stick to a regular schedule of preventive checkup and cleaning visits. To lower those risks, don’t hesitate to seek appropriate treatment as soon as possible.
Dealing with Dental Conditions
The most frequent reason behind adult tooth loss is gum disease, which destroys the periodontal tissues and jawbone structure that support your teeth. Other conditions, like tooth decay or damaged tooth structure, can also lead to tooth loss or the need to extract one or more teeth. However, in such cases, tooth loss is the extreme result. It can typically be avoided if you restore your periodontal health or your healthy tooth structure with prompt, customized restorative treatment.
Optimizing Your Bite Function
Even if your teeth are structurally sound and healthy, they can be compromised by conditions that affect how well your bite functions. For example, if you suffer from bruxism (chronic teeth-grinding), then you may end up damaging one or more teeth so badly that they become exposed to infection. Or, a tooth can become so damaged that it can’t be fully restored and extracting it is the only option. To avoid such severe circumstances, your dentist can spot bite problems during your routine checkup and cleaning appointments and treat them as early as possible.
Find Out if Your Risks of Tooth Loss Are High
Depending on the state of your oral health and the level of attention you pay to your oral health, you may be able to control your risks of tooth loss and preserve your natural smile for life. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849. We proudly welcome patients and families from Katy, Fulshear, Weston Lakes, Simonton, Richmond, Rosenberg, Brookshire, Wallis, Orchard, Cypress, Sealy, Columbus, and all surrounding communities.
