Risks and Ways to Prevent Tooth Loss

tooth loss

Tooth Loss is No Joke!

Did you know tooth loss may dramatically affect the shape of your facial structure permanently altering your overall appearance?

The entire structure of the jaw becomes unstable when a tooth is missing and if you don’t give it the proper attention, its impact is irreversible.

Picture of Dr. Debbie Luis

Dr. Debbie Luis

Mother - General Dentist - Blogger

What Causes Tooth Loss?

There are many ways to lose a tooth, it usually involves poor oral care in combination with an unhealthy diet. However, postponing visiting your dentist and harmful behavior can lead to unexpected accidents. 

Poor Oral Care

I always tell my patients that the best way to save on dental insurance is to maintain proper oral care. Brushing and flossing regularly are essential to prevent bacteria build-up on and between your teeth.

Unhealthy Diet

Who doesn’t love candy? If you (like me) can’t resist the temptation of a delicious dessert, candy bar, sweetened drink or pretty much anything that contains sugar; then you are exposed to tooth loss.

Skipping visiting your Dentist

Most people decide to cope with pain before seeing a dentist. This fear is mostly associated with the cost that dental procedures may incur. 

But what you should consider is that visiting your dentist at the right time may help you prevent tooth loss or other major issues that inevitably will cost you a lot; which is why I always recommend having a dental insurance plan.

SHD’s Preventive PPO MAC Plan offers 100% coverage on preventive procedures at an affordable price. Click here to learn more.

Harmful Behavior

These are “silent killers” of your teeth. We all have at least one of the following bad habits: 

Grinding teeth, using teeth as tools to open things, smoking, chewing ice or tobacco and piercing the lip or tongue. These are all behaviors that can be harmful to your teeth and possibly lead to tooth loss.

Accidents

You’ve probably heard the age-old saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, and although apples are healthy, if you bite into one that’s too hard, it can cost you a trip to the dentist.

Visiting your dentist can be fun when there’s nothing wrong with your teeth but can go south if your at-home dental care isn’t up to par (especially if you don’t have a good Dental Plan).

So what can you do to ensure that your teeth are in optimal shape and avoid a costly dental procedure on your biannual dental visit? Keep reading below to learn how to prevent tooth loss.

What are the Risks of Tooth Loss?

Tooth loss is no joke! It can have both, physical and even psychological effects on you.

It not only has a significant number of implications on your dental health, but did you know tooth loss may dramatically affect the shape of your facial structure, permanently altering your overall appearance?

Your body is incredibly smart; every time it finds an anomaly it will correct it. The same way it produces antibodies to fight viruses, or regenerate tissue after a scratch, it will try to fix the issue when you lose a tooth.

Since the body has no way to repair tooth loss, it will do the next best thing – Fill in the gaps. If left untreated for a long time, you will see how the adjacent teeth gradually shift in an attempt to close the gap.

Empty Spaces in Your Teeth Leads to More Tooth Loss

Not taking care of it creates the perfect scenario for bacteria to build up and affect not only your other teeth but also your gums and even your bone structure. Keep in mind that teeth need to be in contact with other teeth to stay strong.

When a tooth is missing, the tooth in the opposite jaw will try to find its counterpart until it starts to separate from its socket causing sensitivity and loss of sturdiness. With time, if it doesn’t find a contact point it falls out.

The appearance of your face is determined by your bones (including teeth), muscles and skin. If you don’t prevent or address tooth loss on time, then the entire structure of your jaw will become unstable causing a drastic change on your looks which in most cases is irreversible.

If you recently lost a tooth then it’s very important that you see your dentist right away! SHD’s  Comprehensive Elevate Plan offers coverage on major procedures. Click here to learn more.

How to Prevent Tooth Loss?

Adopt a Healthy and Balanced Diet

Make sure to eat nutritious foods that are satisfying yet healthy. When you avoid eating too many sugars and carbs, you prevent those foods from sticking to your tooth’s enamel, becoming plaque and eventually, causing tooth loss.

Some of the best foods to adopt for a healthy smile are milk and dairy products because they help to strengthen teeth providing calcium, protein and vitamin D. Another food that benefits your smile is lean meat like fish and eggs.

Aside from protein, lean meats provides the body with phosphorus which works to protect the tooth’s enamel. Lean meats and proteins are also a great source of vitamin B3 which keeps gums healthy as well.

Leafy greens and crunchy produce are also extremely beneficial for healthy teeth. They’re rich in vitamins A, B2, and B12 which help prevent tooth loss. Crunchy produce helps with saliva production which removes acid and other debris from teeth.

Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day

Brushing your teeth is an integral part not only of your oral health but your overall health. When you skip brushing, you open the door for plaque and bacteria to take over your pearly whites, which can lead to tooth decay, and eventually, tooth loss.

You can avoid this by brushing at least twice a day (morning and night), with a soft bristle brush and make sure to use toothpaste with fluoride! You can kick it up a notch by brushing after lunch too.

Floss On The Daily Basis

Flossing is one of the best ways to prevent problems with your teeth; yet is the one practice most people skip. In order to avoid major issues later on, you should make flossing a regular part of your oral care routine. Let’s look at the facts.

When you floss, you’re more likely to remove the food wedged between your teeth. By doing so, it’s less likely that those particles will decompose in between your teeth, which reduces the chances of experiencing tooth loss. 

When you take good care of your teeth, you don’t have to stress out about paying for costly implants or other dental procedures. You definitely won’t regret flossing!

Visit Your Dentist Every 6 Months

This should go without saying, but you should be visiting your dentist at least twice a year. Not only will it help you maintain a healthy smile, but you can catch potential issues before they hurt your mouth and pocket.

During your checkup, your doctor will make sure your teeth are on the right track, and if they aren’t, they will come up with a treatment plan so that your oral health can improve. Poor oral hygiene can lead to cavities, broken teeth, tooth loss, and other major problems.

I know a dentist visit may be hard as some people can’t afford a dental insurance plan and don’t have an employer who offers dental coverage, but keep in mind that a small effort now can help you save a fortune in the future.

Conclusion

So now you know it! Preventing early tooth loss is as easy as taking good care of your teeth, keeping a healthy diet, avoiding harmful behavior and visiting your dentist regularly.

I know all of this might sound hard to keep up with; but in the long term it is much easier (and cheaper) than going through complicated (and expensive) dental treatments.

By following these 4 tips you will dramatically extend the life of your teeth and gums. Trust me, your mouth (and pocket) will thank you!

If you’re struggling to find an affordable dental plan; SHD offers great options for individualsfamilies and Seniors. Call now to get a free Quote!

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