Tooth loss is believed to be caused by problems such as gum (periodontal disease) and tooth decay. However, there are several reasons why teeth break, crack or simply fall out.
One of the major reasons is that most people neglect their teeth and do not realize the importance of good dental care and proper oral hygiene habits. What I want to tell you without any doubt is that tooth loss can be prevented to a certain degree.
Obviously, you need to take care of your teeth at home and visit your dentist twice a year. Unfortunately, some people have practiced proper dental and oral hygiene habits but are still at risk for tooth loss. ‘Journal of Periodontology‘ has said that gum or periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss today.
However, the major risk factors include:
- Being a past or current smoker
- Being 35 years of age or older
- Being hypersensitive that is suffering from high blood pressure
- Being diabetic
- Having rheumatoid arthritis
- Being male
- Not brushing and flossing your teeth
- Higher risk of losing one’s front teeth than back teeth
- Never going to the dentist on a regular basis
Older, unhealthy males who smoke and do not take care of their teeth are at the greatest risk of losing their teeth. However, there are some risk factors that you cannot control. Such factors include your age and your gender.
Even though you cannot control some factors, it is possible to control some factors like preventing tooth loss through proper oral hygiene such as brushing and flossing your teeth and choosing not to smoke.
Our dentists will tell you for sure that gum or periodontal disease is still the leading cause of tooth loss today. However, you need to be aware of what will happen if you do not take proper care of your teeth at home and by your dentist.
For example, 40 percent of all dental patients who are being treated today have never consulted a dentist before. Even more surprising is the fact that 60 percent of these patients have rarely brushed and flossed their teeth or never brushed it at all.
At Island Dental Associates in Franklin Square, our dentists do all they can provide families and individuals the compassionate and high-quality dental care they deserve.
If you want to find out more about tooth loss and the various dental services we provide, I would encourage you to contact us today and talk with one of our staff members. Our staff members will be ready to assist you to answer your questions and schedule and appointments for you if necessary.
