According to research by the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP), over 36 million people in the United States don’t have teeth at all, whereas 120 million Americans have at least one tooth missing.
While the number of edentulous older Americans has significantly decreased over the past five decades, the overall number of partially toothless US citizens is estimated to increase up to 200 million in the next fifteen years.
Missing teeth aren’t just unattractive, but they also lead to lower nutrition consumption, weight loss, oral diseases, self-esteem issues, and stress. Fortunately, there are several precautionary measures that you can take to prevent yourself and your family from tooth loss. However, you first need to be aware of why tooth loss occurs in the first place.
Ahead, we’ve covered some common culprits that weaken the teeth and lead to edentulism (tooth loss).
Periodontal Diseases
Periodontal or gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss among young and older adults—responsible for up to 70% of all tooth loss cases.
When bacterial infection starts to grow on the gums, it destroys the nerves and tissues, causing severe inflammation. Periodontal disease deteriorates the jaw bones, as well as the gum tissues. If left untreated for long, they can further damage the roots and enamel of the teeth, resulting in teeth loss.
Tooth Cavities
Tooth cavities are formed by untreated bacterial infection that grows worse into tooth decay. Improper maintenance of oral hygiene and irregular dental cleaning routing can lead to bacterial growth in the mouth. If a decaying tooth is not treated on time, it can spoil the soft pulp and nerves at the centre of your teeth, ultimately leading to a root canal treatment or—in extreme cases—tooth removal.
Practicing good oral hygiene and routine dental checkups can help prevent bacterial growth and common dental problems.
Trauma and Accidental Injuries
Tooth trauma and dental injuries are especially common in children and adults who take part in sports or other such activities. This is why we recommend wearing mouth guards during sports to protect your teeth from irreversible injuries. Falls, vehicle crashes, fist fights may also lead to tooth traumas. People who are in the habit of removing lids, loosening knots, tearing sachets, break opening nutshells, and chewing ice are also at a high risk of tooth injuries.
Other Risk Factors of Tooth Loss
According to the Journal of Periodontology, some other causes of tooth loss are:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Arthritis
- Nicotine smoking
- Malnutrition
If you’re struggling with any of the above conditions, make sure you see your dentist for a regular dental checkup. Furthermore, if you have cavities, tooth decay, or a gum disease that may lead to tooth, schedule yourself for a consultation with the best dentist in Woodland Hills as soon as possible. At West Hills Smiles, we make sure that you’re provided with the best and pain-free dental care in a comfortable environment.
Call us at (818) 346-4303 for more information!
*This blog post is intended to promote knowledge about general oral health concerns. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a dentist with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. *