Missing teeth leave dental patients with issues in the function and appearance of their smiles. These patients will need prompt restorative dental treatment to prevent further deterioration of their oral health following tooth loss.
In many cases, tooth loss can be prevented with swift intervention from a dentist. Knowing what dental problems can lead to losing a tooth can help you avoid this complication.
A dentist will need to evaluate your unique smile in their office to provide the best preventative dental care. But you can read on to learn about three of the most common causes of tooth loss.
3 Dental Issues That Lead to Tooth Loss
Advanced Gum Disease
Gum disease, an infection of the gum tissue, is the leading cause of tooth loss. The disease often begins with inflammation and bleeding in the gums. But as the infection spreads, bacteria can begin to deteriorate the tooth root and the jaw.
This causes the tooth to become loose and ultimately fall out of its socket. Due to the immense amount of structural damage from the disease, your dentist will likely not be able to replace the tooth in the mouth.
You can avoid this irreversible dental damage if you stop gum disease promptly before it spreads. You cannot get rid of gum disease on your own, but your dentist can spot early signs of this infection during a routine exam. Visit your dentist every six months to make sure your gums remain healthy and free from this harmful disease.
Severe Tooth Damage
Major damage within a tooth itself can eventually cause it to fall out of the mouth as well. A majority of people suffer from a cavity at some point in their lives. But without prompt treatment of this early stage of tooth decay, the health of the tooth can deteriorate.
Severe tooth decay will eat away at the tooth, leading it to lose its structural support and fall out. The enamel of the tooth cannot regrow once lost, so this type of dental damage will need treatment from a dentist to amend.
Treat cavities as soon as possible to stop decay from worsening your oral health. Your dentist can drill away the damaged part of the tooth and fill the resulting hole with resin.
More advanced decay may need a dental crown to cover the damage. Practice good oral hygiene to stop plaque from eating away at your smile.
Impact Trauma
Your teeth can endure a great amount of pressure. But accidents can occur that cause a tooth to fall out. A blow to the face or biting on a hard item may generate pressure on the tooth and force it out of its socket.
If this happens, your dentist might be able to reattach it. You will need to call them quickly in this case. Bring your tooth with you to your emergency dental appointment.
Handle the tooth at the crown and not the root to avoid damaging it. If possible, place the dislodged tooth gently back into the socket to preserve it. You can transport it in a small container filled with your saliva as well. Your dentist can also suggest tooth replacement treatments if needed.