Because it’s so common, many believe that tooth loss will eventually become inevitable. However, that belief is a misconception. Tooth loss most often occurs from conditions that are highly preventable, and by avoiding or addressing these conditions, you have an excellent chance of avoiding tooth loss altogether. At our Encinitas/San Diego periodontal office, helping you prevent tooth loss and preserving your smile if it does occur are important aspects of the care we provide.

Preserve your healthy, natural teeth

• Focus when you brush and floss – Gum diseases is the most common cause of tooth loss, and the first step to preventing it is to pay attention when you brush and floss your teeth. Gum disease forms when harmful oral bacteria gather along the gum line. If they remain long enough, they can migrate underneath your gums, where your toothbrush and floss can’t reach them. Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice and floss at least once every day, and to carefully clean along your gum line every time.
• Treat any concern as soon as possible – Whether it’s gum disease, tooth decay, damage to your tooth structure, or any other dental health concern, seeking treatment as soon as possible is the best way to stop it from becoming worse. In many cases, hesitating can lead to severe complications with one or more of your teeth, leading to their loss or the need for their extraction. By addressing such issues in their earliest stages, you have a much better chance at preserving your healthy, natural smile for life.
• Quit habits that guarantee tooth loss – Even with a good hygiene routine, there are some things that can almost guaranteed to raise your risks of tooth loss. For example, if you smoke or chew tobacco, then the hundreds of harmful chemicals can erode your supportive oral and periodontal tissues, as well as your natural tooth structure itself. Quitting the habit will remove one of your biggest risk factors for tooth loss, making your preventive hygiene and oral health efforts much more effective.

In case you’ve already lost teeth

If you’ve already lost a tooth, then you’re risks of losing more are already high. One of the main reasons why involves the loss of your tooth’s root, which causes your jawbone to lose mass and density due to lack of stimulation. Replacing the lost tooth with a dental implant-supported prosthesis can help lower your risks by reestablishing stimulation in your jawbone every time you bite and chew.

Reduce your risks of losing teeth

Though it’s common, adult tooth loss is most often preventable. With the right care and maintenance, you have a good chance of avoiding it. For more information, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kania by calling her periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.