There are many different potential causes of tooth loss, such as accidental trauma and periodontal disease (the most common cause). Therefore, many of the warning signs of tooth loss involve symptoms and signs of the appropriate underlying condition. If your gums are bleeding, then you may periodontal disease, which means you’re at a significantly increased risk of losing teeth to the disease. At our Encinitas/San Diego periodontist’s office, we can help reduce those risks by addressing your unique oral health concerns. However, your first have to know how to recognize them and seek treatment as soon as you notice them.

You’ve ignored gum disease for a while

Because periodontal disease, or gum disease, is the most common cause of tooth loss, its presence is one of the most frequent warnings. The reason it affects so many people is because its earliest signs, such as slightly bleeding and swollen gums, don’t always seem serious. If you ignore those signs long enough, then your gum disease can erode enough of your gums and jawbone structure that tooth loss or extraction is inevitable by the time you seek treatment. The best way to avoid this is to visit your periodontist as soon as you notice any signs of gum disease.

Your teeth are becoming loose

One of the common symptoms of periodontal disease is the loosening of one or more teeth, which results from the erosion of your gums, periodontal ligaments, and jawbone structure. However, loose teeth don’t have to indicate gum disease; it can also result from unnoticed damage to your tooth or its supportive structures, or a number of other potential causes. In most cases, though, the looseness means that your tooth isn’t far from losing all of its support, causing it to fall out or require extraction so that your periodontist can replace it.

You haven’t replaced a previously lost tooth

Whether you’ve lost a tooth to gum disease or any other reason, its absence can also have a detrimental effect on the surrounding oral and periodontal tissues. If left unchecked, this can lead to diminished support for your remaining teeth, leading to an increased risk of losing them, as well. The only way to effectively stop this erosion is to replace the roots of your lost teeth, which is possible with the help of one or more dental implants. The implant posts are inserted into your jawbone, replacing your lost teeth roots to support a custom crown, bridge, or denture. Every time you bite, your implant-supported prosthesis will stimulate your jawbone to ensure that it receives an ample supply of nutrients.

Learn to lower your risks of tooth loss

Tooth loss can several potential causes, but most of them can be prevented if you pay attention to and limit your highest risk factors. For more information, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kania by calling her periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.