Are you worried about tooth loss? Think you may be at higher risk due to your age? In our article this week, we'll look at the main causes of losing permanent teeth and highlight some of the factors that could put you at higher risk for losing them.
According to a recent study carried out by the American Dental Association, older Americans are keeping their natural teeth longer than they ever have before. But tooth loss is still one of the main contributing factors to a lowered standard of living among our elderly population. Today we'll take a look at the main causes of tooth loss, and explore some factors that can put you at higher risk for losing your teeth.
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What are the causes of tooth loss?
There are a number of different things that can cause tooth loss amongst adults. Generally speaking, tooth loss can usually be attributed to poor oral hygiene and eating habits. Not visiting your dentist or denturist regularly for scheduled cleanings and checkups can also factor into the equation. In the list below, we'll look at some of the most common reasons adults lose their teeth.
Gum disease
Also referred to as periodontal disease, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults in the world. As periodontal disease progresses, your gum tissue and jawbone degrade to the point where there is no more support to anchor your teeth securely in your mouth. Consequently, they end up falling out.
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Injuries or physical trauma
Another leading cause of tooth loss in adults (especially amongst weekend warriors) is having them knocked out or damaged beyond repair due to an injury or physical trauma. While professional hockey players are disproportionately represented among this category, anytime you're taking part in an activity where arms and bodies are flying about, there's a risk your teeth could be jarred loose. For this reason, we highly recommend using mouthguards when taking part in physical activities that inherently have a high risk of contact.
Cavities
Cavities lead to tooth decay and if left unaddressed they usually end up requiring a root canal or removal of the tooth. Early detection and healthy eating habits, paired with regular tooth brushing, are the best ways to combat this cause of tooth loss.
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Age
The natural process of aging allows for more opportunities of the above to happen and the overall attrition of your teeth. Decades ago it was almost a given that elderly adults would lose some of their teeth and require partial or complete dentures, but increased focus on oral hygiene and good dietary habits has resulted in more older adults keeping their natural teeth than ever before.
Risk factors and diseases related to tooth loss
In addition to the above causes of tooth loss in adults, the following diseases and risk factors have been linked to tooth loss:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Arthritis
- Poor dietary or oral hygiene habits
- Lack of professional dentist or denturist interventions
Call Us Today
If you have any questions about how to better prevent tooth loss, or are exploring the possibility of getting partial or complete dentures, get in touch with our helpful team at Future Smiles Denture Clinic by calling 403-475-0016 or by booking a FREE consultation today.
