More than 175 million American are missing at least one tooth, and the numbers are rising each year. Nineteen percent of those 65 and older suffer from edentulism, the medical term for missing all of their teeth. Of those 75 and older, 26 percent experienced complete tooth loss.
Some causes of tooth loss include:
Poor Oral Hygiene
Cavities that go untreated become larger and affect deeper parts of the tooth. They can travel to the nerves at the center of the tooth and destroy them.
Bruxism
Tooth grinding, or bruxism, puts extreme pressure on the teeth and bones of the jaw and mouth. This can lead to chipped or fractured teeth and eventually to tooth loss.
Trauma
Contact sports are especially dangerous for teeth. However, car accidents and other day-to-day situations such as a fall can knock out a tooth or cause a fracture that affects the root.
Poor Nutrition
Calcium is very important in the health of the teeth. Studies have shown that calcium helps keep teeth and bones stronger.
Diabetes
The body’s immunity is greatly affected in those suffering from this disease. Plaque formation can occur at a more rapid rate and gum disease is more prevalent in those with diabetes. One of the symptoms of this condition is that healing time is longer in general and this includes in cases of oral problems.
Gum Disease
This is the leading cause of tooth loss. It affects the teeth gums, ligaments and even bones in the mouth.
Osteoporosis
This disease causes the bones of the body to weaken and become more prone to injury and fracture. Women with this condition are much more likely to suffer from tooth loss.
Missing teeth can greatly affect one’s quality of life. Many people become self-conscious of their smiles. Chewing and speaking clearly can become difficult depending on the number and location of the missing teeth. Many people don’t realize that missing teeth can cause a complete change in the composition of the face. When the gum and jaw bone are no longer stimulated, bone loss begins to occur.
Thanks to advances in dental science, Dr. Abelar is changing the lives of those in the San Diego area suffering from tooth loss. Implants provide a beautiful, natural appearance and help preserve the jaw bone and facial structure. For more information or to schedule an appointment call the office today at 858-866-9692.
