Patients with missing teeth experience a great impact on the quality of their lives. They can find it difficult to stay confident in their appearance and perform their usual oral functions. They can also have a high risk of further deterioration of their oral health.
Though a dentist can replace missing teeth through restorative solutions, you should preserve your natural smile as much as you can. If you know what dental issues can lead to tooth loss, you can better prevent this severe dental problem. Read on to learn about three of the most common causes of tooth loss.
Advanced Gum Disease
The leading cause of tooth loss in adult dental patients is gum disease. This refers to an infection in the gum tissue that begins with inflammation of the gums. As the disease progresses, it reaches the tooth root and jawbone. Bacteria will eat away at these areas, causing severe damage that may result in a tooth falling out.
Gum disease requires treatment from a dentist to eradicate. And it grows harder to get rid of if you allow the infection to spread. Do not hesitate to let your dentist know if you notice issues in your gums.
Early signs of gum disease include bleeding, swelling, and tenderness in the gums. But some patients will not notice any symptoms at all if they have contracted this infection. Continue seeing your dentist for routine check-ups so that they can catch this disease early and provide swift treatment when needed.
Severe Tooth Decay
A majority of people will get a cavity at some point in their lives. Your dentist can treat the issue easily with a dental filling. But if you ignore a cavity, this form of tooth decay can worsen.
The decay can spread from the enamel to deep within the tooth, damaging the structure enough that the tooth will fall out of its socket. With this much decay within the tooth, the dentist will not be able to save it.
If you notice tooth pain or sensitivity, contact your dentist. Prompt removal of a cavity will ensure the restoration of the tooth without it dislodging from the mouth.
Impact Trauma to the Face
Even with diligent preventative dental care, accidents can occur that can hurt your smile. For instance, a blow to the face may create enough of an impact for a tooth to fall out of the mouth.
If this occurs, your dentist might be able to reattach it to its socket, but you will have to act quickly. Call your dentist as soon as this happens for emergency dental treatment.
If possible, gently place the tooth back in its socket to preserve it. You can put it in a container submerged in your saliva if the first option is not feasible. Follow instructions from your dentist over the phone to improve your chances of saving the tooth. Your dentist can also suggest tooth replacement treatments if needed.