6 Reasons You May Lose Your Teeth

No one wants to lose their teeth. However, it’s a fairly common thing, and becomes more and more common the older you get. This is why dentists offer tooth replacement options like dental implants in Mesa.  Learning what can lead to tooth loss is the best way to prevent it from happening to you. Here are six of the most common reasons why you may lose one or more of your teeth.

Poor Oral Hygiene Habits

The top reason why people lose their teeth is due to poor oral hygiene habits. People may not brush their teeth well or may not visit a dentist regularly. This can cause cavities to develop, which can ultimately lead to the tooth rotting. The tooth may eventually fall out, need to be pulled out, or may crack or chip until it’s completely gone. Seeing your dentist twice a year helps to decrease your chances of tooth loss.

Gum Disease

Another leading cause of tooth loss is gum disease. Gum disease, such as gingivitis, can cause your gums to recede. Your gums help to hold your teeth in place. If your gums recede too far, your teeth may lose the support that holds them in place. Your tooth can become loose and eventually fall out. Unfortunately, once your gums recede, there is no way to get them back into place. Early prevention and treatment is extremely important. Regular visits with your dentist can help catch gum disease early on and help prevent it from worsening.

Age

As you age, your body begins to wear down, and teeth are no different. More people in their 50s have lost one or more teeth than those in their 30s or 40s. Some people live to be 80 or 90 and have all their teeth, while others begin to lose their teeth at 50 or 60, even if they have great dental health. It is believed that genetics plays a role in this. Seeing a dentist routinely can help decrease the chances for tooth loss as you age or help you figure out if dental implants are a good option for you if tooth loss is unavoidable.

Accidents

Accidents can also lead to tooth loss. If you play sports and get hit in the mouth, or if you are involved in an accident where something hits you in the face, your teeth may be knocked out. In some cases, your tooth may loosen or fall out, while in other cases, your tooth may die from the impact of the accident. Seeking treatment immediately from an emergency dentist in Mesa after the accident may help to prevent the loss of your tooth in many different situations.

Personal Choice

Some people opt to have a tooth removed. Those who are having orthodontic work done may opt for this due to overcrowding in their mouth. Some people opt to pull a tooth out rather than undergo more extensive and costly dental procedures, such as root canals. And many people decide to have their wisdom teeth removed to prevent infection, impacted teeth and overcrowding.

Health Conditions

The final common reason why you may experience the loss of a tooth is because certain health conditions can impact your teeth or gums, making you more prone to tooth loss. Those who have diabetes, osteoporosis and high blood pressure are all more likely to lose teeth than those who don’t have these conditions. Certain medications and medical treatments can also cause tooth loss. For example, patients who have chemotherapy are more likely to experience tooth decay and tooth loss. If you suffer from health conditions that can impact your teeth, a dentist will likely want to see you more frequently, to help prevent tooth loss.

Conclusion

Here at Dental Brothers, we know that there are many causes for a missing tooth. If you have sustained an injury which has caused your tooth to fall out, you will want to seek emergency dental care to try to save the tooth. If you have lost a tooth through other means, we can discuss how to replace your missing teeth with dental implants in Phoenix. Give our office a call today and let us come up with the best solution for your lost tooth.