What Causes Tooth Loss in Adults
Tooth loss seems like a pretty mundane thing in childhood, after all, your teeth are growing left and right, so it’s only natural for them to fall out as well. However, in adulthood, it’s not really something to be taken as lightly.
So, what causes tooth loss in adults, how do you prevent it, and what are some solutions available? Well, that’s what we will be covering today. And, if you want to get a head start on keeping the perfect smile, feel free to visit this link, and now, let’s get into the gist of it.
Common Causes of Tooth Loss in Adults
What’s the route of tooth loss in adults? And, what causes tooth loss in older adults? Well, we have the answers to those questions right below. So, let’s go over the causes before we move on to prevention.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is one of the main causes of tooth loss adults experience. It is caused when the bacteria present in your mouth destroy the enamel of your teeth. With poor dental and oral hygiene, sugar and starch that are left on the teeth will eventually form plaque, which will attack the teeth and lead to tooth decay.
In the later stages of tooth decay, cavities will appear in the form of tiny pits or holes in your teeth. And, if you leave this situation as it is, decay will spread and it might lead to tooth loss. The worst thing is, tooth decay doesn’t discriminate when it comes to age, which means it can affect anyone. So, be sure to be extra strict when it comes to your oral hygiene and keep your dental visits regular.
Gum Disease
You still might be thinking – what is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults? Well, the answer is, unfortunately, gum disease. This disease, also known as periodontitis, is a rather serious one. If periodontitis is left untreated it can lead to the destruction of the bone that supports your teeth, which will, understandably, lead to tooth loss.
Not unlike tooth decay, gum disease is also caused by plaque. When plaque hardens under the gumline, it turns into tartar, eventually leading to gum disease. So, to prevent gum disease from causing further problems and major damage, it’s crucial to treat it as early as possible.
Physical Injuries
This one is a given, but physical injuries can cause tooth loss in pretty much anyone. So, to prevent any further problems from occurring, be sure to deal with dental trauma as soon as possible.
Diseases
Certain diseases can be especially detrimental to the dental health of older adults. After all, your overall physical health and your dental health are closely tied. Ailments such as arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension, can often be the cause of tooth loss in adults. This is why it’s crucial to keep both your physical health and your dental health in high regard.
Tooth Loss Prevention
Now that we’ve covered the causes of adult tooth loss, it’s only fair that we move on to prevention. So, here are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of tooth loss.
- Be sure to always maintain proper oral care by brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing once a day, and rinsing them with mouthwash once per day.
- Drop bad habits such as smoking or chewing tobacco
- While playing sports, wear a mouthguard
- If you’re prone to teeth grinding, wear a night guard during sleep
- Don’t skip out on dentist visits
Steps to Take After Losing a Tooth
If your tooth happens to fall out due to a physical injury or an accident, don’t panic, not all is lost. As long as you stick to the following steps, all will be well.
- Locate the tooth that fell out, and make sure to not touch the root of the tooth, hold it by the crown instead.
- Gently and cautiously rinse the tooth with water or milk. Don’t scrub or wipe it though, and make sure it doesn’t come in contact with chemicals or soap.
- This step might come off as odd, but it works – put the tooth into the empty socket. To prevent it from moving, bite down gently on a piece of medical gauze or a bit of soft fabric. And, if this doesn’t really seem to work for you, put the tooth in a cup filled with milk. Due to the calcium, milk will help preserve it.
- Lastly, unless you have more serious injuries to deal with, go to the dentist straight away. Time is of the essence, and the quicker you act the higher the chances are that the dentist will be able to restore your tooth.
Tooth Loss Solutions
If the dentist isn’t able to restore your tooth, that’s fine. There are still other solutions available, and, in this section, we will go over them.
Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges
Dental crowns are a great solution when it comes to replacing a single tooth, and dental bridges are very effective when you’re missing more than one tooth. Generally, these procedures are quite simple and will only require two appointments.
Dentures
Dentures are the ideal solution for people who are missing a large portion of their teeth or all of them. Implant dentures are usually a great solution for those with enough bone to support dental implants. And, an implant-supported denture is usually very practical. Traditional dentures are also a great choice, especially for those who don’t have enough bone for implants, such as patients suffering from gum disease. And, for those who aren’t missing all of their teeth, partial dentures are a good practical solution.
Dental Implants
Just like implant supported dentures, dental implants are a great choice for patients with enough bone to support them. They function as artificial roots that are meant to replace the natural root of the tooth. They are long-lasting, and practical and are used in combination with dental crowns, dental bridges, and dentures.
