Teeth can be lost due to a number of factors. These include decay, damage, or trauma. If you lose even one tooth, you should seriously consider a tooth implant as a permanent replacement to keep the rest of your teeth healthy and properly aligned.
Most Common Causes of Tooth Loss
The most common cause of tooth loss is gum disease. If you do not take proper care of your teeth and gums, inflammation can develop in the gums. This is known as gingivitis. If it is not properly treated, it can increase in severity, becoming periodontitis, or gum disease.
Gum disease causes the gums to pull away from the roots of the teeth. With severe gum disease, large portions of the roots are exposed. Eventually, teeth become loose and can fall out. If the gums are severely infected, replacing the tooth will be problematic at best, and probably impossible. At this point a tooth implant might be the best way to regain that tooth. However, even before this replacement option can be exercised, the gum disease will have to be treated.
Decay and trauma are also common causes of tooth loss. As with loss due to gum disease, maintaining proper care of your teeth and gums through regular brushing and flossing can prevent tooth loss as a result of decay.
Tooth Loss Due to Trauma
Teeth can also be lost because of trauma. One common type of trauma is falling on the face. This happens more often among small children. If a child loses a baby tooth in this way, chances are good that it won’t need to be replaced, as the permanent tooth will move in to take its place.
Sports injuries and car accidents are also common causes of tooth loss. Any damage to the face during an automobile accident can lead to tooth loss. If you play sports, you should always wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth, especially if you play contact sports such as football, rugby, or hockey.
If you are suffering from tooth loss and would like to find out what treatment options are available to you, contact the office of Dr. Chris Tye, serving Bedford and surrounding areas, at 817-552-3223 today to schedule a consultation.
