Not everyone will have to deal with tooth loss in their lives, but many people will. That’s why replacing lost teeth is such an important aspect of modern professional dental care. However, with the right routine care and dental health maintenance, most people have a good chance of successfully preventing tooth loss for life. At our Astoria, NY, dental office, dealing with and preventing tooth loss are important focuses of the care we provide.
The gum disease you haven’t addressed yet
There are several different potential reasons for tooth loss, but severe gum disease is the most frequent one. What begins as gingivitis – a relatively minor infection in your gums – can evolve into severe periodontitis when not treated in time. As it progresses, the disease in your gums erodes the tissues and the underlying jawbone structure that supports your teeth roots. In severe cases, gum disease will leave one or more teeth roots without enough support, causing the teeth to fall out or require extraction in order to restore your smile.
The accidental trauma you didn’t fix immediately
Tooth trauma isn’t the most common cause of tooth loss, but it’s similar to gum disease in the fact that it grows increasingly more serious with time. If you wait long enough, then a tooth that might’ve been successfully restored with a veneer or porcelain dental crown may lose its place and fall out, or become so damaged that it has to be removed to restore your smile. The best way to avoid this is to seek emergency dental treatment for such trauma to your tooth as soon as possible.
The hesitation to seek treatment for any issue
Whether it’s due to long-standing dental trauma, erosion of a tooth’s support, or another severe condition such as extreme tooth infection, many of the causes of tooth loss are easily treatable in their earliest stages. For conditions that you might not notice at first, the most effective defense against them is to maintain a regular schedule of routine exams and cleanings. During your visit, we can thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, and oral structures to determine if an issues is present that could grow worse if left untreated.
Improve your chances of preventing tooth loss
Preventing tooth loss is the best way to deal with it, and by knowing all you can about its common causes, you have a better chance of doing so. For more information, or to schedule a consultation, call Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
