Causes of Tooth Loss and How to Prevent It

A beautiful smile enhances your facial features, improves your confidence, and makes you smile more! Maintaining a healthy smile is not always easy, though. Life is busy, and sometimes you forget to brush or floss, or maybe you have never learned the right way to brush your teeth. One problem leads to another and, before you know it, you have missing teeth. If that sounds like you, don’t feel bad. Here are common causes of tooth loss, prevention tips, and what you can do if some of your teeth are missing:

Common Causes of Tooth Loss

Periodontal disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. Often caused by poor oral hygiene, this type of infection loosens your teeth and causes your gums to bleed. Bacterial plaque buildup is not the only culprit when it comes to periodontal disease, though. Other risk factors include smoking, stress, and genetics.

Playing sports is another common cause of tooth loss. Although exercise is good for your health, the use of mouthguards is recommended for some sports like basketball and hockey. Accidents happen, so you better protect your teeth!

Tips for Keeping Good Oral Health

Now that you understand some of the main causes of tooth loss, let’s talk about prevention. Here are some tips for maintaining good oral health:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day, especially in the morning and before going to bed. Brushing should take about 2 minutes when done properly. Don’t forget to floss either!
• Be gentle when you’re brushing your teeth. Use a soft-bristled brush because it’s less aggressive on your gums. Position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums for optimal cleaning.
• Reduce your consumption of sugary foods. When the bacteria present in your mouth feed on the sugars you eat, they create acids that can damage your teeth.
• Visit your dentist every six months for a regular checkup and cleaning.

How We Can Help You

If you have missing teeth, we’re here to help you without judgement. At Expert Denture Clinic, we have a friendly and experienced staff that can assist you with all of your dental needs. We encourage you to visit our website to learn more about partial and full dentures. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us online or by calling (204) 334-0022.