Missing teeth can interfere with your ability to bite, chew, and speak. You may also feel self-conscious about the way your smile appears if you have gaps in your smile where teeth fell out. Speak to your dentist about tooth replacement solutions like dental implants to amend these concerns and also prevent further complications in the wake of tooth loss.
You can also take action to avoid tooth loss in the first place when you have a better understanding of why teeth may fall out. Discover three of the most common ways you may lose one or more teeth when you read on.
Advanced Gum Disease
About half of all adults will suffer from periodontal disease at some point in their lives. This common infection of the gum tissue usually begins with inflammation of the gums. But as the disease advances, bacteria will cause enough damage to the gums, teeth, and jawbone that the teeth can fall out of their sockets.
Gums may start to recede, and teeth may feel loose or wobbly prior to tooth loss. The infection will not go away without intervention from your dentist. They will need to clean excess bacteria from the smile, especially deep in the gum pockets.
Gum disease is easier to eradicate when diagnosed early. So do not skip routine dental check-ups where a dentist can perform a periodontal disease screening. Getting rid of gum disease promptly will help you preserve your smile.
Severe Tooth Damage
You can develop a number of dental problems that deteriorate your tooth structure and increase your risk of tooth loss. For instance, most of us will develop at least one cavity. But you might not know that if the cavity remains untreated, it can spread to advanced tooth decay.
A dentist treats decay by removing the damaged part of the tooth. But if the decay progresses to harm a large amount of the tooth’s surface, then the tooth could fall out. The dentist might also need to extract the tooth to protect the rest of your smile.
Practice good oral hygiene to reduce your risk of tooth decay. This will include attending regular professional teeth cleanings at your dentist’s office. Treat cavities in a timely fashion as well before the decay worsens.
Facial Impact Trauma
Even when you adhere to proper care for your smile at home and at your dentist’s office, you might experience an accident that can impact your oral health. For instance, you might sustain a blow to the face that generates enough impact trauma to cause a tooth to fall out of its socket.
If this occurs, there is a chance your dentist can save the tooth and restore it. You will need to contact your dentist as soon as possible for an emergency evaluation. Preparation ahead of an incident like this can help you react swiftly and have a greater likelihood of restoring your smile.