Lost teeth might be our bread and butter, but we would rather see you for reasons! In the constant battle to fight tooth loss and dental damage we’ve found a few pretty regular culprits for the loss of teeth. The worst part is that the vast majority of them have been preventable!
Your teeth are meant to last your whole lifetime and when they don’t there’s usually a pretty good reason. The key to preserving teeth and maintaining a healthy smile lies in knowing what is going wrong so that you can prevent it, which is the exact reason we’re writing this blog entry today. We want you to know what needs to be done to keep you healthy and happy!
Cause #1: Trauma
It’s an unfortunate part of life, but accidents occur and they occur pretty regularly! You’re just one elbow in a sports game, one slippery stair, or one accident of any kind away from a lost tooth! A lost tooth can be devastating no matter the age, and it’s a hard thing to avoid.
You can minimize these kinds of injuries by always wearing a mouthguard during dangerous physical activity. Unfortunately it isn’t always practical to wear one when you’re just climbing the front steps so just take your time and be careful, especially in bad conditions!
Cause #2: Periodontal Disease
When plaque makes its way under your gumline the bacteria it contains can spread without you being able to stop it. As this continues your gums will become inflamed and infected and over time they can recede. Because your gums are so important in stabilizing your teeth and keeping them secure, receding gums can cause your teeth to loosen and potentially fall out.
Regardless of cause a single lost tooth can lead to a chain reaction where you lose tooth after tooth! The bone that creates your tooth sockets starts to shrink without a tooth present, and neighboring teeth will shift and loosen as bone loss continues. Your entire bite can be affected, and continued tooth loss is almost guaranteed!
Cause #3: Tooth Decay
The same plaque that causes gum disease also causes tooth decay. Plaque bacteria eat sugar contained in the foods you eat, and when they do they produce acids that eat away at your enamel. Once cavities reach the inner portions of your teeth they’ll spread and spread until they reach the pulp at the center. This can cause pain, infection, and can necessitate extraction!
Even if your cavities don’t require tooth extraction there can still be instances in which a tooth simply breaks down to the point where it’s lost. This only happens in extreme cases of long-lasting decay, so it’s important that you get quick care for decaying teeth!
What Can Be Done To Replace A Missing Tooth?
Like we said above, a single lost tooth can cause a chain reaction that leaves you with nothing to smile about! It takes time to lose all your teeth but it’s also quite easy to stop the process before it becomes serious by getting a dental implant or a bridge.
At our New Albany dentist office we use zirconia, a special dental ceramic that is harder and more natural looking, for our bridges. The process to place a zirconia bridge is the same as any other kind – impressions, tooth reduction so your abutment teeth fit under the crowns, and then placement! Bridges hold your remaining teeth in place so that they can’t slide out of place, helping to protect you from future tooth loss.
While bridges are a good choice dental implants are the premier method of restoring a missing tooth. Implants are placed directly where the missing tooth was and fill the role of your natural teeth roots. They integrate with your bone and provide an amazingly permanent, stable, and lifelike replacement!
If you’re worried about tooth loss don’t stand by while your smile jumps ship! We can help prevent tooth loss and restore damage, but it’s important that you act now! You can reach New Albany Implants by calling our office at (812) 945-7645 or you can request an appointment by filling out our online form. We look forward to helping you protect your smile!