Reducing The Likelihood Of Tooth Loss
Most people desire to keep all of their permanent teeth throughout their lifetime. However, many people lose teeth due to poor habits. Here are a few things that you can do to lessen your chance of tooth loss.
Wear a Mouthguard
If you participate in a contact sport or suffer from bruxism, consider wearing a mouthguard. A mouthguard helps absorb the pressure that could damage a tooth. A sports guard can be used for contact sports. For bruxism, a special night guard is required.
A blow to the mouth during a sporting event can result in a broken or dislodged tooth. Likewise, bruxism, which is another name for the dental grinding that some people suffer from during periods of sleep, can apply so much bite pressure to the teeth that they shift out of position, chip, or crack.
When a tooth shifts out of its position in the bone from bruxism or other trauma, the loosening may not self-correct, and as a result, the tooth could be lost. Also, chips and cracks can be detrimental to a tooth by providing points of entry for oral bacteria that could lead to tooth infections. If a tooth infection spreads to the jawbone, tooth loss may result.
In addition, the severity of a crack could jeopardize a tooth. If a tooth is cracked through its dental roots, it cannot be restored. A dental extraction is the only option.
Irrigate Your Mouth
Oral irrigators are devices that are used to clear debris, plaque, and bacteria from the areas between the teeth and along the gum line. In fact, an oral irrigator can even remove plaque that is below the gum line.
Plaque that is left in place hardens into tartar. Together, plaque and tartar can negatively influence gum health.
The gums become inflamed when exposed to oral acids, which are released by the bacteria found in plaque and tartar. This inflammation can progress over time to cause periodontitis, which is a primary cause of tooth loss among adults.
Periodontitis, which is also called periodontal disease, is characterized by the formation of pockets or spaces between the gums and the teeth. These spaces encourage the collection of bacteria and plaque that can incite a gum infection.
An oral irrigator releases a concentrated stream of water to flush away the bacteria and plaque, allowing the inflamed tissues to heal.
To learn more measures that you can take to reduce the likelihood of tooth loss, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area, such as at Brookside Dental Associate.
Share