Oral Health Conditions That Can Lead to Tooth Loss
The importance of having healthy teeth cannot be overstated. If you don't practice proper oral health, your teeth can gradually decay and detach from your gums. As a result, having missing teeth affects more than just your smile. Gaps in the teeth lead to chewing complications, accumulation of plaque and gum diseases.
There are several oral health conditions that may cause you to be at risk of tooth loss. If you're diagnosed with any of the following conditions, consult a family dentist to ensure that you don't end up loosing some of your teeth.
1. Severe tooth decay
Tooth decay is essentially the degradation of enamel in your teeth. Enamel is the hard out outer shell that protects your nerve endings. As tough as this material is, it can degrade over time due to the accumulation of plaque.
Any time you consume foods that are rich in sugars, bacteria form a film around the enamel. It is this film that slowly degrades this tough outer shell and causes tooth loss. That is why it's important to brush your teeth at least twice a day. With proper brushing, you remove plaque and prevent tooth decay.
2. Malnutrition
Malnutrition is another condition that can result in tooth loss. Malnutrition is a condition where your body doesn't receive all the nutrients that it needs. Your body needs a healthy balance of proteins, minerals and vitamins to grow and develop.
In particular, your teeth require calcium to develop strong enamel. Proteins and minerals also boost the health of your gums and help prevent the accumulation of plaque. Therefore, if you don't consume the right foods, your teeth can gradually become weak and detached from your gums.
3, Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a severe form of gum disease that can affect the health of your teeth. It occurs due to the buildup of bacteria in your gums over long periods of time. You will notice that your gums may bleed easily or they become swollen and tender. Periodontitis often causes your teeth to become detached from the gums and jawbone. As a result, you can end up with tooth loss over time.
The good news is that periodontitis is easily preventable. Make sure you practice proper oral hygiene and cut down on excessive sugar consumption.
4. Bone loss
Conditions that result in bone loss may also end up affecting your teeth. For example, osteoporosis is a disease that affects your bones and causes them to become weak. This condition can spread to your teeth and jaws, resulting in tooth loss.
To prevent the loss of teeth in your mouth, make sure you brush your teeth regularly, watch what you eat and get your teeth checked at least twice a year.