Dental Issues That May Cause Tooth Loss

Millions of American adults suffer from tooth loss. You may be familiar with the decline in the quality of life of those who have lost one or more teeth. A dentist can use restorative dental solutions to replace these missing teeth. But ideally, you should preserve the natural structure of your smile as well as you can.

You can stave off tooth loss when you know which underlying dental problems can lead to this permanent dental damage. Read on to discover three of the primary causes of tooth loss and how your dentist can help you avoid this consequence.

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Reasons Why Teeth May Fall Out

Advanced Gum Disease

The leading cause of tooth loss in American adults is gum disease. This infection of the gum tissue starts off as gingivitis, an inflammation in the gums. The bacteria spread without treatment from a dentist and will reach the tooth root and jawbone.

They will eat away at these parts of the mouth, causing immense and irreversible damage that could result in the tooth falling out. Your dentist can treat gum disease with deep cleaning techniques. However, you should get this issue treated as soon as possible.

Gum disease is easier to eradicate when diagnosed and treated early. It will not go away on its own, so you should ask your dentist to resolve this problem before you lose teeth.

Severe Dental Damage

Damage to the tooth, especially a lingering dental problem that has progressed deep into the pulp, can lead to tooth loss. A cavity, for instance, is a common dental concern. A dentist can treat this easily. But if the decay advances and penetrates deeper into the tooth, it may fall out.

Your dentist can restore a tooth with a substantial amount of decay or other dental damage using a dental crown in many cases. However, if a tooth has sustained too much harm, the dentist might not be able to save it. Prompt treatment of dental dangers is key.

Facial Impact Trauma

Even with diligent oral hygiene and dental care, accidents may occur that lead to enough damage that can dislodge a tooth from its socket. A blow to the face or other impact trauma can generate enough pressure to cause this type of injury.

But if you lose a tooth due to this impact, your dentist might be able to reattach it in the mouth. Make sure you call your dentist as soon as you can to schedule an emergency dental appointment.

If you can, place the tooth gently back into the socket to keep it preserved before your appointment. If this is not feasible, store the tooth in a cup submerged in saliva. Handle the tooth at its crown not its root to avoid damaging the tooth further.

If for some reason, your dentist cannot save the tooth, you can talk with them about tooth replacement solutions. You can find optimal restorative benefits when you replace missing teeth with dental implants.