Adult Tooth Loss is Common: Here’s How to Prevent It

A great smile is often the first thing people notice in others. To keep your smile healthy as you get older, there are some precautions you need to take to prevent adult tooth loss and other dental issues.

At Preva Dental, Prathima Rasamsetty, DDS offers a range of services to protect your oral health and lower your risk for decay and other causes of tooth loss in adults. We also offer services like professional teeth whitening to enhance the appearance of your natural smile.

Factors that contribute to adult tooth loss

There are several factors that contribute to tooth loss in adulthood. Decay is one of the most common dental issues that leads to tooth loss. When food particles and bacteria build up on your teeth, they can lead to small holes (cavities) in the protective surface layer, or enamel.

Without treatment, cavities can grow larger, and deep decay can lead to tooth damage, exposed nerves, and gum inflammation. When the decay is too severe to be addressed by a root canal, tooth extraction is the only remaining treatment option.

Other issues that can lead to adult tooth loss include:

Periodontal disease

Along with dental decay, periodontal disease is a leading cause of adult tooth loss. Commonly known as gum disease, it occurs when lingering plaque and tartar along the gumline cause an infection in the gum tissue and surrounding bone. Without treatment, early-stage gum disease can lead to advanced gum disease, or receding gums and the potential loss of multiple teeth.

Oral trauma

Mouth injuries from falls, sports, or violence can lead to unexpected tooth loss. If you act quickly, a knocked-out tooth can be repaired using your natural tooth. Delaying treatment may lead to the need for an artificial restoration like a bridge or a dental implant.

Teeth grinding

Teeth grinding (bruxism) describes the clenching or grinding of your teeth during the day or night. This activity can wear down and weaken your teeth, leaving them more susceptible to breakage, loosening, and loss. 

Here’s how you can prevent tooth loss

Good oral hygiene is essential for protecting your adult teeth. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes to remove food particles and bacteria. Flossing is also essential for removing debris from in between your teeth that you can’t reach with your toothbrush.

In addition to daily brushing and flossing, you also need to visit our team at Allure Dental of Hollywood every six months for professional dental cleanings to remove plaque and tartar, and check for gingivitis, or early warning signs of periodontal disease.

If you have gum disease, you might need to take medications to clear any infections. We also offer more extensive teeth cleaning services to eliminate bacteria and debris from under the gum line and around the tooth root.

Be extra careful when eating hard foods that can fracture your teeth, and avoid biting your fingernails. If you have bruxism or play contact sports, ask our providers about a custom-fit mouth guard you can wear while you’re sleeping or in the game.

If it’s been longer than six months since your last dental cleaning, there’s no better time than the present to start protecting your oral health. Call Preva Dental to schedule an appointment today, or book a consultation online any time.