To some people, tooth loss seems like the kind of thing they’re going to have to deal with at some point in their lives. They may believe the best thing they can do is try to keep their smiles healthy until then, not realizing they could be doing more to prevent having to lose and replace their teeth. The truth is that, in many cases, tooth loss is highly preventable. It’s just a matter of identifying your specific risk factors for it, and taking appropriate steps to lower and control those risks.
Common tooth loss risks
There are some risks of tooth loss that most people share to some degree. For example, the most common cause of adult tooth loss is severe gum disease, which most people can develop if they don’t practice good enough dental hygiene and regular enough preventive dental care. Other risk factors, such as tooth infection (decay) or severe tooth damage, can also become risk factors for virtually anyone. That’s why seeking treatment as soon as possible for any dental health concern that arises is paramount to boosting your chances of avoiding tooth loss.
More personal risks of tooth loss
In addition to the common tooth loss risks that most people share, there are several particular oral health conditions that cause a domino effect leading to the loss of one or more of your teeth. For instance, if your teeth suffer from malocclusion (misalignment) or your bite doesn’t function properly, this can lead to extensive tooth damage that can’t be restored. Some severe conditions can call for a tooth to be extracted and replaced in order to preserve the rest of your healthy smile and bite function.
How to lower your overall risks
The most effective way to lower your risks of tooth loss and boost your chances of preventing it is to keep your smile as healthy as possible. Most importantly, if you develop a chronic dental issue such as gum disease, or a tooth becomes compromised through decay or structural damage, seek treatment for the condition as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of your oral health concerns, you may require specialized care, such as oral surgery, to fully restore your smile and bite function.
Control your risks of losing teeth
Your risks of tooth loss depend on a lot of things, from the state of your oral health to certain everyday habits, like grinding your teeth too often. To learn more about how to identify and lower your risks of tooth loss, schedule a consultation by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery in Santa Rosa, CA, today at 707-545-4625.
