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Dangers of Tooth Loss
“Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond.” — Miguel de Cervantes
Edentulism, or tooth loss, is a source of embarrassment for over 178 million Americans. What some patients may not know about tooth loss, is that it doesn’t just affect your self-esteem— it makes it harder to eat your meals, speak properly, and smile as well
Untreated tooth loss can have serious negative consequences on your overall health. Oral health issues like gum disease contribute to tooth loss, and if not properly treated can cause continued deterioration. The effects of these other ailments can have a lasting, significant impact on your overall health
To achieve a brilliant smile and good health, it’s important to understand some of the common causes of tooth loss and the dangers of leaving it untreated. Explore our guide below to learn more.
Common Causes of Tooth Loss
Gum Disease
Tobacco & Alcohol Use
Osteoporosis
Poor Dental Hygiene
Jawbone and Dental Resorption
Gum Disease
Gum disease, or periodontitis, is when the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, creating pockets where bacteria can build up and cause infection.
Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. It’s possible to treat gum disease, and we will customize a treatment plan based on the level of decay in a patient’s jaw.
Tobacco & Alcohol Use
Regular tobacco use can cause dry mouth and contaminate your remaining saliva with toxic chemicals. This contamination increases your chances of tooth loss through decay and disease.
Alcohol can also cause dry mouth, and expose your teeth to high levels of acid and sugar. Therefore, smoking and drinking in conjunction significantly increase your chances of developing these oral health issues.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis occurs when bones fail to build back old tissue, causing them to weaken. If your jawbone weakens, teeth may fall out due to lack of structural support.
Poor Dental Hygiene
Failing to take proper care of your teeth and gums can result in tooth loss. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental exams are necessary to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Jawbone and Dental Resorption
Jawbone resorption occurs when missing or severely damaged teeth leave areas where the roots of a tooth do not stimulate the jawbone. This lack of stimulation can lead to the loss of jawbone density. As weaker jawbones don’t provide adequate support to the teeth, their chance of falling out is much higher.
Dental Resorption includes internal and external resorption.
- Internal dental resorption occurs when inflamed dental tissue is absorbed into the body, hollowing out and weakening the tooth.
- External dental resorption occurs when any outside part of the tooth, including the roots, is damaged by swelling or loss of bone and tissue. This leads to weakened, looser teeth.
Common Effects of Tooth Loss
Dental Misalignment
Resorption
Cardiovascular Disease
Poor Digestion
Gum Disease
Dental Misalignment
Open spaces in your smile created by missing teeth can cause your remaining teeth to shift in your mouth and try to fill the gaps. Gradually, your existing teeth will become misaligned, increasing the possibility for other oral health issues to arise like resorption, gum disease, and continued tooth loss.
Resorption
Missing teeth can progressively weaken other parts of your jawbone, leading to further resorption. In addition, the weakening of your jawbone can change the shape of your face, leading to wrinkles and structural issues.
Cardiovascular Disease
Due to the increased susceptibility of your mouth to infection after losing a tooth, you stand a higher risk of bacteria finding its way to your heart through the blood vessels in your gums. This is a serious side effect of tooth loss and is one of the major reasons to seek prompt treatment if you’re missing teeth.
Poor Digestion
Your teeth are pivotal in your body’s ability to digest food. Even one missing tooth makes it much harder to chew and produce saliva, inhibiting the digestive process and increasing your chances of other health issues such as:
- Nutritional deficit
- Obesity
- Dehydration
- Diabetes
- Choking
- Cardiovascular disease
Gum Disease
While gum disease can lead to tooth loss, having missing or severely damaged teeth also increases your chances of developing gum disease.
Tooth loss and dental trauma leave open wounds in your teeth and gums where bacteria can enter and accumulate. These bacteria can cause infection and disease.
Tooth Loss Prevention Methods
While tooth loss and its associated issues can be intimidating, most prevention methods are simple and effective. With preventative health care and proper oral hygiene, you’ll greatly reduce your chances of tooth loss and better protect your overall health.
Practice Proper Oral Hygiene
Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco
Eat A Balanced Diet
Regular Dental Exams
Practice Proper Oral Hygiene
Brush thoroughly, twice a day for at least two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Floss at least once a day to remove plaque from areas your toothbrush can’t reach.
Clean your tongue to prevent bad breath and help eliminate infectious bacteria. Remember to replace your toothbrush every three months, or sooner if the bristles begin to look worn out.
Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco
People who don’t smoke, quit smoking, or limit their alcohol intake greatly reduce their chances of tooth loss. A study conducted for the Journal of Clinical Periodontology found that people who quit smoking saw significant improvement in their oral health after one year.
Eat A Balanced Diet
Eating a balanced diet low on saturated fats, LDL cholesterol, and added sugar helps keep teeth and gums healthy by supporting your immune system.
Regular Dental Exams
Visit your dentist and hygienist at least twice a year for a professional cleaning and examination. Regular dental exams will help your dentist detect and begin treatment of oral issues and diseases, while helping you to maintain your overall health and your smile.
Start Your Smile Care Today, With Reger Family Dental!
Maintenance and prevention are key factors in maintaining your oral health and preventing related oral health issues. At Reger Family Dental, we offer professional dental health services that help keep your smile full and your body healthy.
We encourage you to call our practice in San Antonio, TX for a consultation by dialing 210-960-1300 or filling out our online contact form. We look forward to helping you on your journey to a healthier smile!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prevent bone loss after a tooth extraction?
Can jawbone loss be restored?
I’ve already lost teeth, what should I do?
Can I prevent tooth loss without seeing a dentist?
How can I prevent bone loss after a tooth extraction?
The best way to avoid bone loss following a tooth extraction is to replace it as soon as possible using dental implants. Our high-quality tooth restorations can almost instantly recreate your smile and integrate with your jawbone, providing the stimulation it needs to stay strong and dense.
Discuss replacing your tooth after extraction with Dr. Reger. We’ll work with you to find the best implant solutions for your smile.
Can jawbone loss be restored?
Yes, many patients whose bone density has deteriorated after tooth loss can strengthen and restore their bone using a supplemental procedure called bone grafting. Bone grafting helps rebuild your natural bone by using a sample from a strong part of your body to stimulate new jawbone growth.
If you want to restore functionality to your teeth and smile but don’t have the jawbone density for dental implants, Dr. Reger can help. Discuss your dental implant and supplemental procedure options at Reger Family Dental.
I’ve already lost teeth, what should I do?
The sooner you treat lost teeth, the more damage you can help prevent. See a dentist as soon as possible so they can diagnose and treat any issues.
Dental implants remain an efficient and permanent option for treating tooth loss. Unlike removable orthodontic appliances, dental implants help seal off open wounds in your gums and stimulate your jawbone to prevent resorption.
To begin receiving treatment for missing teeth, call our San Antonio office at 210-960-1300 or fill out our online contact form and a team member will get back to you shortly.
Can I prevent tooth loss without seeing a dentist?
One of the best things you can do to preserve your teeth and protect your overall health is to maintain a diligent oral hygiene routine. However, dentists can detect issues which you may not be aware of until they have progressed significantly. For this reason, we recommend regular dental exams.
Regular dental exams can be crucial in the early detection of oral diseases and related illnesses such as tooth infection, neck and head cancers, and gum disease.
You can schedule a dental exam with Dr. Reger by contacting our San Antonio, TX office. Call us at (210)-960-1300 or fill out our online contact form.