The most common causes of adult tooth loss are things that can often be prevented or controlled with proper oral health care and maintenance. However, just because they can be controlled doesn’t mean that doing so is always easy. For some people, there are many different factors that can increase their risks of developing oral health concerns and experiencing tooth loss. Some of these aren’t obvious, and until you can recognize them, you may also be raising your risk of tooth loss without realizing it.
Everyday habits that increase tooth loss risks
One of the more common reasons why some conditions are allowed to lead to tooth loss is because many of the things that contribute to them aren’t obvious at first. For example, habits that might seem harmless, like grinding your teeth constantly or chewing on inedible objects, can have a long-term effect on the health and integrity of your teeth. Some may be more likely to fracture or break, others might be forced out of alignment or have their foundational structures compromised. Teeth-grinding is one of the more frequent and damaging of these habits, as it can sometimes indicate a more serious condition known as bruxism that will continue to get worse if left untreated.
Signs of conditions that lead to tooth loss
Being mindful in your everyday habits can go a long way in helping you do a better job of protecting your smile. However, if a problem has already developed, then the symptoms of it could warn you that your risks of losing one more teeth have become much higher than usual. For instance, the most common cause of tooth loss is severe gum disease, which first starts as a case of less severe gingivitis. The infection in your gums known as gingivitis can cause your gums to change appearance, becoming discolored and/or irritated-looking. Yet, this can be easy to ignore, and for people who do, their gum disease can grow increasingly worse, significantly raising their risks of losing teeth to it.
Dealing with existing dental conditions
If you’ve already developed gum disease, or any other condition that affects your teeth and/or oral tissues, then treating it as soon as possible is paramount to preserving your healthy, natural teeth. Even when symptoms are obvious, some patients may not realize just how serious they are or how advanced their oral health concern has become. As soon as you notice any sign that something is wrong with your oral tissues or tooth structure, call your dentist’s office to schedule a visit and learn how to protect your smile.
Learn how to lower your risks of tooth loss
Tooth loss can often be the culmination of several different factors impacting your oral health in different ways. To learn more, contact our office by calling Syosset Dental in Syosset, NY, today at 516-433-2211 or 516-921-1678.
