Loose teeth on a kid is adorable. Loose teeth on an adult, though? A bit scary and very very concerning.
Tooth loss isn’t a problem that only old people have to deal with. Many adults well below the age of 60 often lose their teeth due to poor dental health, heart disease, diabetes, drugs, and smoking. Adults suffering from weakened immune systems due to health conditions or medical treatments are also at risk of losing their teeth.
The consequences of tooth loss can cause severe consequences not only to your dental health but also to your overall physical health and emotional state. It’s important to understand just what can cause teeth to fall out in order to avoid any expensive treatments or embarrassing situations in the future.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. When tartar forms from dirt and plaque left behind on the teeth, bacteria can form and infect the gum tissues. Once the gum tissues become inflamed and unhealthy, they can bleed and pull away from the teeth. After the gum tissues recede, bacteria gather in dental pockets that have formed around the teeth. The more tartar and bacteria grows, the weaker and more inflamed the gum tissues become.
When gum diseases go untreated, the connective tissues supporting the teeth weaken until they can no longer hold on. As a result, teeth become loose and fall out. Thus, it’s important to consult a dentist the moment your gums start to bleed or look puffier than usual.
Hormonal Changes
During pregnancy, high levels of estrogen and progesterone can cause the supporting bones and ligaments of your teeth to weaken and loosen. Fortunately, this is a mild and temporary problem that usually goes away after pregnancy. Women aren’t likely to lose any teeth at all due to hormonal changes, but they should definitely consult a dentist to make sure they don’t suffer from any underlying problems with their dental health.
Osteoporosis
Bone diseases like osteoporosis can affect not only the arms and legs but also the teeth and jawbone. When the bones in your body lose much of their strength and density, your teeth become prone to loosening and falling out. Certain medications used to treat osteoporosis can also interfere with dental treatments and increase your chances of losing teeth, so it’s best to consult your dentist before purchasing anything from the pharmacy.
Trauma
It’s still possible for people with great dental health to lose their teeth during accidents or collisions. When sensitive gum tissues become injured due to blunt force trauma, they weaken and become less capable of supporting the teeth. Teeth loss can result from untreated gum tissue injuries, so it’s very important to consult a dentist or conduct first aid as soon as possible. People who do strenuous physical activities, such as sports or heavy work, should also take precautions to keep their teeth safe. Following proper dental hygiene and using durable mouthguards are great ways to avoid losing any teeth at the arena or factory.
The Importance Of Good Dental Hygiene
You aren’t invincible just because you’re young. Neglecting to take proper care of your teeth and gums can cause you serious trouble sooner than you think. You could be chatting it up with dozens of your friends at a party one day, but then keep your mouth closed to hide those embarrassing gaps a week later.
Brushing three times a day isn’t always enough to keep your dental health in top shape. Bacteria left on wet or old toothbrushes can spread to your teeth and make things even worse than before. Dirt and plaque stuck between teeth and along the gum line can also spread and wreak havoc everywhere in your mouth. Fortunately, there is a simple way to stave off scary and serious dental problems.
Dental scalers are an effective and powerful tool that can clean any hidden spots your toothbrush and floss might have missed. Long, thin motorized heads dig deep between the teeth and other hard-to-reach areas to scrape off stubborn dirt, plaque, and tartar. The more you use your dental scaler each day, the less likely you are to deal with embarrassing bad breath and lost teeth in the future. We’ve got a great dental scaler that you can order online in just a few clicks, so why not try one out today?