When it comes to preventing and treating dental health issues, your best bet lies in understanding their causes, and addressing them at their roots. In most cases, tooth loss is the result of a dental infection, like gum disease or extreme tooth decay. Therefore, preserving your smile could simply mean protecting it from such issues. To better your chances of keeping your healthy, natural smile for life, we explore the common causes of tooth loss, and how to prevent them with good hygiene and regular dental care.
How Dental Diseases Cost Teeth
Tooth Decay
You might know the condition better as a cavity, but tooth decay is the bacterial infection that causes the hole to form in your tooth. Usually treated with a dental filling (or root canal therapy, in severe cases), tooth decay can eventually consume your entire tooth, or enough of it that the tooth can’t be saved, if you don’t treat it in time.
Gum Disease
Also caused by a bacterial infection, gum disease (or periodontal disease) is the leading cause of missing teeth, and leads to tooth loss by destroying their supportive structures. The bleeding and swelling that marks gum disease are telltale signs of infected tissues. When allowed to progress, the infection will not only destroy your gums, but also the jawbone that supports your teeth by their roots.
The Secret to Prevention
Preventing tooth decay and preventing gum disease are similar. Both are byproducts of poor hygiene and the excessive buildup of dental plaque, which contains hundreds of different kinds of bacteria. Combatting plaque buildup is largely accomplished by brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day, as well as limiting how often you snack throughout the day. Ensuring that plaque doesn’t become a problem, however, requires the regular care and attention of your family dentist during your scheduled checkups and cleanings.
ABOUT YOUR FUQUAY VARINA FAMILY DENTIST:
For over 15 years, Dr. Michele Collier and the talented professionals at Waterstone Family Dentistry have provided comfortable, compassionate dental care to patients of all ages from Fuquay Varina, NC, as well as Holly Springs, Angier, Willow Springs, Raleigh, and all surrounding communities. If you’d like to learn more, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Collier by calling (919) 557-5250 today.
