People consistently rate a beautiful smile as one of the most attractive features, as well as the basis of a good first impression. Although tooth loss is not as common as it once was, there are still several reasons why you might end up losing a tooth (or several).
You might think that trauma is the most common cause of tooth loss, but unless you’re a hockey player or an MMA pro, the chances you’ll lose a tooth due to getting hit in the face are surprisingly low. Or perhaps you think tooth loss is largely attributed to the modern diet, which is often packed with sugar, acids, and chemical additives. However, it’s not the makeup of the modern diet that ranks highest in instances of tooth loss.
That said, there are several causes of tooth loss in children and adults, and most are eminently avoidable. If you’re worried about your own teeth and you want to know more about the causes of tooth loss, it’s best to speak to a reputable Birmingham dentist, but here are a few of the main issues you should know about.
1. Lack of Professional Dental Care
If you’ve been putting off looking for dentists in Birmingham AL, now is the time to seek out professional dental care, without delay. One of the worst things you can do to your teeth is neglect them.
There is a lot you can do on your own to protect your enamel and ward off gum disease, but if you’re not visiting Birmingham dentists regularly, you’re almost certainly missing bacteria below the gum line, leading to tartar and plaque buildup that can cause serious problems for your oral health. This includes tooth loss.
2. Bad Behavior
In many cases, you have a large measure of control over the state of health in your mouth. Your behavior, good or bad, can dictate whether or not you suffer from gingivitis, periodontal disease, and tooth loss.
If you aren’t very diligent about brushing, flossing, and rinsing your mouth after every meal, you could be doing damage to your teeth that will only worsen with time. If you use tobacco products you’re even more likely to suffer tooth loss.
Although there are certain things you have no control over, there’s a lot you can do to keep your mouth clean and healthy. With a proper regimen for oral health and a solid understanding of harmful behaviors to avoid (smoking, drinking sugary soda, etc.) you can stave off the disease and decay that commonly lead to tooth loss.
3. Age
There’s no escaping the deterioration that comes with age, and tooth loss gets more and more likely the older you get. In addition, men are more likely to suffer tooth loss than women as they age.
Of course, taking good care of your teeth throughout your life can help to combat the effects of aging, ensuring that your teeth remain strong and healthy for many years to come. With a proper regimen of home care and regular visits to your Birmingham dentist, the chances of suffering tooth loss are greatly decreased.
4. Periodontal Disease
More commonly referred to simply as gum disease, periodontal disease is hands-down the most common cause of tooth loss. Periodontitis does not develop overnight, though.
It starts with plaque and tartar buildup, which leads to gingivitis. As bacteria builds up in the mouth, it causes the gums to swell and form pockets, paving the way for advanced tooth decay, which ultimately leads to tooth loss.
At this advanced stage you’ll need to seek out highly skilled dentists in Birmingham AL to help you reverse the condition and save your teeth. However, it’s far better for your oral (and overall) health if you never let periodontal disease set in.
5. Other Diseases
There are a variety of other diseases that could result in tooth loss, such as heart disease and diabetes. In truth, though, the inflammation and other side effects of these conditions generally lead to the onset of periodontal disease, which is the direct cause of tooth loss.
If you’re suffering from a health condition that you think could lead to oral health issues and eventually tooth loss, it’s time to start comparing Birmingham dentists to find one that is capable of helping you compensate for your condition in order to preserve your oral health and your bright smile.