Are you dealing with dental health concerns and worried about losing one or more of your teeth? You’re not alone! You might be surprised to learn that missing teeth are more common than you think — more than 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth.
Thankfully, there are plenty of options to address dental problems and save your teeth before that happens.
The importance of keeping your teeth
Missing teeth affects more than just your appearance — they impact your oral health, too. Here are a few of the common problems that come from missing teeth, and some reasons why you should take steps to try and save or replace them.
Common problems caused by tooth loss:
- Tooth decay and gum disease
- Difficulty speaking and eating
- Shifting of nearby teeth
- Bone loss in the jawbone
Benefits of keeping your teeth:
- Confidence – Missing even one tooth can drastically affect your confidence and the way you speak
- Lifestyle – Eat your favorite foods whenever you want
- Health – Decreased chance of developing tooth decay, gum disease, and other health conditions
Why people lose their teeth
Tooth decay
Tooth decay is often a result of poor oral hygiene. Failing to care for your teeth can cause damage to the tooth’s surface, otherwise known as the enamel, and allow bacteria to create holes in your teeth, called cavities. When left untreated, the bacteria in the cavity can reach all the way to the center of your tooth. This advanced stage of tooth decay often leads to getting a root canal or having the tooth extracted.
Accidents
They can happen to anyone — you get an elbow to the face during your game of pickup basketball, fall off your front step, or are involved in a car collision resulting in a missing tooth.
Gum disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. A few common risk factors of developing gum disease include:
- Poor oral hygiene habits
- Age
- Genetics
Nearly 50% of adults over the age of 30 have gum disease. That’s why taking preventive measures against gum disease is so important!
Certain diseases and conditions
These diseases and conditions can lead to tooth loss:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Arthritis
At home care tips for keeping teeth healthy
Thankfully, there are some easy oral hygiene habits everyone can (and should) adopt at home to prevent tooth damage and loss.
A good oral hygiene routine consists of:
- Brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day for 2 minutes
- Flossing at least once every day
- Getting routine 6-month dental exams and cleanings
- Maintaining a healthy diet and limiting consumption of sugary or acidic beverages
- Quitting smoking
Have questions about your current oral hygiene routine, or looking for even more recommendations? Contact us with any questions you have and we’ll be happy to help!
Treatment options to save your teeth
When it comes to teeth and oral health, everyone is unique — and their treatment plan should be, too. At Atlanta Center for Advanced Periodontics, Cosmetics & Implant Dentistry, we offer personalized treatment plans to all of our patients. We stay on top of the most modern, advanced technology to ensure patients receive the best care possible.
If you’re experiencing dental problems, a few treatment options our doctors may recommend include:
- LANAP – A state-of-the-art, minimally invasive laser gum treatment that promotes the regeneration of healthy gum tissue. It’s minimally invasive (meaning: no cut and sew surgery) and requires very little downtime.
- Osseous surgery – Used to treat advanced gum disease, this surgery is more like a deep cleaning and can be done comfortably in one visit.
- Bone regeneration – Also known as bone grafting, this treatment is typically used in preparation for a dental implant or dentures. It helps stimulate bone growth when the jawbone has become weakened to create a strong foundation for your tooth restoration.
- Gum recession treatment – This can be a surgical or non-surgical treatment that involves moving, reshaping, or rebuilding gums that have receded away from the teeth.
- Scaling and root planing (SRP) – For moderate to advanced gum disease. SRP treatment is a deeper cleaning for your gums than a routine exam. Our periodontists will go below the gumline to remove bacteria and buildup.
Worried about losing a tooth? Take steps today to save your smile!
We’re proud to offer treatment options for every scenario and every budget. Our experienced team will help you catch problems early and recommend preventive procedures to keep your smile healthy for life.
We’ll get you the help you need by:
- Creating a treatment plan fully personalized to your needs, lifestyle, goals, and budget. Our doctors will sit down with you at the end of your appointment to review your dental health goals, review your proposed treatment plan, and answer any questions you may have.
- Taking a phased approach over a long period of time, addressing the most pressing issues first.
- Focusing on smaller procedures that can save existing teeth and bone and help you avoid longer, more expensive treatments down the road.
Options if you’ve already lost a tooth
We’ve already talked about the importance of preventive treatment when it comes to your oral health. But what if you’ve already lost a tooth?
Nearly 30% of adults will lose a tooth at some point in their life. But once it’s gone, it doesn’t mean it has to stay that way (nor should it!). There are a number of effective and safe treatments to replace and restore missing teeth
Dental implants are the gold standard solution for missing teeth. This restorative treatment is:
- Permanent
- Durable
- Beautiful and natural looking
- Available for a single tooth or as a full mouth restoration
- Good for your health because they prevent tooth decay and gum disease
Your natural smile is your best smile, we’ll do everything to help you keep it
We want to help you achieve a healthy smile for life. Whether you’re looking to stay on top of your preventive care, are showing signs of gum disease, or are already missing a tooth, our skilled team is here to help!
Contact us today to set up your appointment, and learn what we’re doing to keep you safe during your visit.