Did you know that what we eat, and how well we care for our smiles, could impact our risk of tooth loss? In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist takes a look at tooth loss, and what you can do to help your teeth stay healthy and your smile remain whole, even from home! In addition, should you lose a tooth, we’re going to explain our replacement options.
Gum Disease and Missing Teeth
Did you know that gum disease, an issue that impacts half of adults over 30 according to the Centers or Disease Control, could lead to missing teeth? The issue forms when gum inflammation, or gingivitis, develops and remains unaddressed, allowing inflammation to grow more severe with time. Once gum disease forms there is no cure, but treatment is crucial for managing it. If not properly managed, then the advanced stage known as periodontitis could occur, which actually severs the tissues connecting the teeth and gums and leads to a higher risk of tooth loss. If your gums begin to feel sore, look red, or bleed easily when you brush and floss, please let us know so we can discuss better homecare routines and eventually, offer treatment.
Better Homecare Habits
To help protect your smile from periodontal disease, as well as other factors behind missing teeth like advanced tooth decay or dental infection, you need to care for your smile from home daily. For example, make sure each day you brush your teeth for two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste, once when you wake up and again before going to bed. You also need to floss, which means moving the length of floss tape up and down each side of every tooth and dipping below the gum line, which extracts trapped food particles a toothbrush may not reach. We also suggest cutting back on sugary foods and drinks, which feed harmful bacteria and increase the risk of issues like cavities and gum disease.
Prosthetic Dentistry
If you do lose a tooth, we have options to restore the function, health, and beauty of your smile. For minor tooth loss, we may place a lifelike bridge. For more advanced cases, we could create a removable full or partial denture. With dental implants, we can provide a long-lasting and lifelike solution for tooth loss, or even secure bridges and dentures that last much longer than crown-secured or removable alternatives.
Do You Have Questions About Restorative Dentistry?
Our team wants to make sure you and your loved ones continue to take optimal care of your smile while you’re staying inside. To learn more about keeping your smile healthy and whole, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
