Tooth loss isn’t always as clear-cut as it seems, and many people who experience it may have been able to prevent it if they addressed their specific risk factors sooner. The problem with losing a tooth is that it won’t grow back, and replacing it can only go so far in helping you regain your bite’s full function. Fortunately, it’s easier today than ever for people to understand what specific factors could contribute to their tooth loss in the future. They also have many options for addressing them in order to save and preserve their healthy, natural smiles.
Problems with symmetry in your oral structures
It isn’t always as obvious as other factors in your oral health, like your teeth and gums, but the symmetry of your oral structures has a significant impact on several different things. For instance, if your teeth aren’t aligned properly, then biting and chewing can place a lot of stress on your jaw joints and muscles. If your jawbone isn’t symmetrical, then it can contribute to further stress and potential damage to these tissues, as well as create other problems with your oral health and bite function. Such concerns can cause domino effects that compromise the health and integrity of your teeth and/or their supportive structures, making them significant factors in your overall risks of tooth loss.
Untreated underlying oral health concerns
The shape and symmetry of your oral structures may be a factor for your overall oral health risks, but there are several other concerns that can have more direct impacts on your risks of tooth loss. For example, the most frequent cause of adult tooth loss is the presence of severe gum disease (or periodontal disease), which causes the erosion of your gum tissues and jawbone structure. Leaving gum disease untreated can make it more likely that you’ll experience tooth loss by the time you seek treatment.
Direct threats to your healthy, natural teeth
When a tooth becomes directly damaged, its health and integrity are immediately at risk. Though not as common as tooth loss due to gum disease, a tooth may be lost or extracted because its structure is severely compromised and unable to be restored. Addressing all types of tooth damage as soon as possible, even when it seems insignificant, is an important step in mitigating your risks of losing the tooth. It can also reduce the chances that one or more other teeth will become compromised and potentially be lost in the future.
Learn how to address your risks of tooth loss
There are several different factors that could potentially increase your risks of losing one or more teeth. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call Santa Rosa Oral Surgery in Santa Rosa, CA, today at 707-545-4625.
