As you age you’ve probably started to think more and more about the potential for tooth loss. You don’t want to have to deal with bridges, missing teeth, or dental implants so how do you keep your teeth healthy and clean? At Edgewood Dental Care we’ve seen a lot of patients with lost teeth and there are some pretty common causes that keep coming up.
We wanted to take the time today to discuss some of the risk factors for tooth loss so that you know if you’re at risk. It’s important to know the warning signs and risk factors so you can be more aware of what you need to do to protect yourself!
Age And Gender
If you are over the age of 35 then your chances of tooth loss are much higher. There are many reasons why this is the case but it all boils down to how long it takes for serious complications to arise. For many people the mid-30s is when their bodies start to change and with that comes a lot of changes in health as well!
Men are at a higher rate for tooth loss as well! If you’re a male over the age of 35 make sure you’re getting the proper dental care!
Home Care Habits
Over 60 percent of patients who suffer from tooth loss report not brushing their teeth on a regular basis. Of that 60 percent only 16 percent report brushing their teeth the recommended twice daily! Taking care of your teeth at home is essential to maintaining a healthy smile!
To decrease your risk of tooth loss make sure you’re brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. Be sure to get all your tooth surfaces and the gumline as well! And as much as you might hate it flossing is essential too! You should be doing it daily to remove the food particles and plaque that brushing can’t get!
Smoking
Nearly one in three people who lose teeth are smokers – it significantly increases your risks! Smoking changes the balance of bacteria in your mouth and studies have found that the harmful bacteria is the majority in the mouths of smokers.
That harmful bacteria is what causes tooth decay and gum disease. When it dominates your mouth there’s a good chance it can end up causing health problems as well!
Health Conditions
Diabetes, high blood pressure, and rheumatoid arthritis are all linked to increased risk of tooth loss. The most probable link between the three is because they all cause inflammation. Even minimal gum inflammation, which can be a side effect of these conditions, increases the risk of periodontal disease and tooth loss!
If you suffer from one of these conditions make sure you’re seeing your physician to maintain your health!
Gum Disease
This is the number one tooth killer. When plaque bacteria gets underneath your gums it doesn’t just cause irritation and inflammation. It also causes your bones to recede, your teeth to weaken, and your gums to pull away from your teeth. Without the support of bones and gums your teeth don’t have much to keep them in place!
If you have even the slightest sign of gum disease – red gums, inflammation, color change, and bleeding while brushing – you need to come see us so we can treat you now!
Lack Of Regular Dental Care
Nearly half of patients who lost teeth reported that they’d never seen the dentist for regular cleanings and exams. If you aren’t seeing us at Edgewood Dental Care for checkups your risk of losing teeth rises incredibly high!
Regular dental care allows us to get detailed images of your teeth, bones, and gums. This allows us to predict and identify problems before they become serious so that we can keep your mouth in good shape for years to come!
What You Can Do
As you can see there are a lot of factors that go into tooth loss. The best thing for you to do to prevent it is to eat right, quit smoking, take good care of your teeth at home, and see us at our Edgewood dentist office every six months. Even losing just one of those puzzle pieces can put your mouth at risk!
Don’t take chances with your teeth – you won’t know how much they mean until they’re gone! Call Edgewood Dental Care today to schedule an appointment. You can reach us at 859-474-7830 or you can request an appointment by filling out our online form. We look forward to seeing you soon!