It’s considered normal for the average adult to have 32 teeth or as few as 28 if wisdom teeth are missing or extracted. A complete set of teeth in each arch—the upper and the lower—means you can bite, chew, speak, and smile normally. Sadly, it’s estimated that around 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth—and once one tooth goes, others quickly follow.
At DentAlign NYC, in Midtown East, Manhattan, New York, Kenn Kakosian, DDS, PhD, provides periodontal care to help keep your teeth healthy and reduce the chances of tooth loss as you age.
The two top reasons teeth fall out are periodontal (gum) disease and previous tooth loss. Half of all Americans have some level of periodontal disease, which eventually causes the gums to pull away from the teeth.
This allows pockets of bacteria to form and infection to set in far below the original gum line, destroying the alveolar bone (the bone in the jaw that supports your teeth). The result is that severely affected teeth loosen and fall out, or infection becomes so prevalent that the tooth must be extracted.
Once a tooth is lost, the teeth on either side drift into the space left by the missing tooth, the bone below the empty space continues to vanish, and eventually, adjacent teeth loosen and fall out. A domino effect can quickly lead to your becoming edentulous (toothless).
Here are five ways to prevent tooth loss as the years go by:
A good oral hygiene routine is your first defense against tooth loss. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Floss at least once daily to remove food particles and plaque forming between your teeth.
Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption increase your risk of periodontal disease and resultant tooth loss. Cutting down on alcoholic beverages and ceasing to use tobacco products will keep your gums and teeth healthier.
Sugary and acidic foods and drinks accelerate the erosion of enamel and dentine (important tooth substances). They can lead to deep cavities that can cause infection below the gum line and require teeth to be extracted.
Teeth grinding (bruxism) and clenching are everyday stress-related habits that can make your teeth break down over time and contribute to periodontal disease. Practicing stress management helps lower anxiety and reduces the likelihood of grinding or clenching your teeth.
In many cases, simply making and keeping biannual appointments with your dentist for teeth cleanings can help keep your teeth healthy and find minor issues before they can become big ones. As you age, you may require ongoing periodontal care to keep your gums healthy, keeping your teeth and the bone supporting them healthy.
If you do lose a tooth, consider a dental implant. It stimulates the alveolar bone like your natural tooth roots do, preventing it from dissolving and keeping the adjacent teeth from drifting or loosening.
For more information on how to prevent tooth loss as you age, call 716-350-0665 or book an appointment at our office in the Chrysler Building today.
