For some people, the fact that tooth loss is preventable can be surprising. It occurs frequently enough that many people can mistake it as something that everyone will eventually have to face. However, the truth is that most cases of tooth loss occur because of an underlying problem that could have been addressed earlier, or prevented altogether, with proper dental care and maintenance. For the majority of tooth loss cases, prevention is highly possible, which means you have a good chance of avoiding it if you haven’t already experienced it.
The role that hygiene plays in the effort
After years of practicing it every day and making it your normal routine, it can be easy to overlook the importance of good dental hygiene in your overall oral health. However, keeping your teeth and gums clean of plaque every day is the most important measure in preventing tooth loss, as well as most other oral health concerns. This is because plaque contains hundreds of different kinds of oral bacteria, and many of them are harmful to your teeth and gums when they metabolize certain nutrients into harmful substances. This can lead to conditions like tooth decay and gum disease, which is the leading cause of adult tooth loss.
Why it’s important to address issues as they appear
Keeping up with good dental hygiene every single day can significantly improve the long-term state of your oral health, but it isn’t always a guarantee that a concern like tooth decay or gum disease won’t develop. This is why it’s especially important to make routine dental checkups and cleanings part of the routine. Professional cleanings are the only way to remove plaque that has calcified into tartar (or calculus) and the bacteria that it protects. During your checkup, your dentist or oral health specialist can ensure that a problem hasn’t already developed, or detect it as early as possible if it has. By detecting and treating oral health concerns early, you can effectively manage them before they lead to the loss of one or more teeth.
Identifying your biggest risk factors
With many different potential causes of tooth loss, the specific risk factors for it can vary between people. If you don’t have gum disease, then it may not be your biggest worry. However, if you have a tooth that’s decaying or has suffered significant damage, then the tooth could be at a high risk of being lost if isn’t restored promptly. Identifying your biggest risk factors and addressing any existing concerns, if necessary, is essential to preserving your smile and helping you prevent the loss of your natural teeth.
Learn if you can prevent tooth loss
Tooth loss can occur for a variety of reasons, but with consistent care and maintenance, you have a good chance of preventing it from affecting your smile. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call Santa Rosa Oral Surgery in Santa Rosa, CA, today at 707-545-4625.
