If you’ve known many people who’ve experienced tooth loss, then it makes sense to assume that tooth loss isn’t something most people can prevent. You might be surprised to learn that, in most cases, tooth loss is the cause of something that could have been prevented with more effective dental hygiene and care, or treated while it was in a less severe stage. Today, we examine a few ways you can lower your risks of losing one or more teeth by keeping a close eye on the state of your dental health.
Keep your teeth clean throughout the entire day
Good hygiene is something most people recognize as an important part of their dental hygiene routine. It’s also essential to preventing the development of chronic dental concerns that could lead to tooth loss, like gum disease. Yet, many people still experience tooth loss, which is why it can be easy to assume it’s inevitable. The truth is that good dental hygiene means more than just brushing and flossing your teeth every day, but also avoiding exposing your teeth to harmful things like excessive sugar throughout the day. Be mindful of snacking too often and on unhealthy foods that could raise your risks of developing a chronic dental concern.
Try to avoid placing your teeth at additional risk
Eating a lot of things with sugar, which makes harmful oral bacteria overactive, isn’t the only thing you should be mindful of throughout the day. Some common things can also be more harmful to your healthy, natural tooth structure than you might realize, and could lead to more serious concerns (including tooth loss) later on. For example, if you chronically grind your teeth together, you could be placing them under an excessive amount of pressure that could significantly damage them.
Don’t procrastinate to treat an existing dental problem
If you have a chronic teeth-grinding problem, often referred to as bruxism, then it’s important to treat it before it leads to heightened risks of tooth damage and loss. Fortunately, this can often be accomplished comfortably and conveniently with the help of a custom-designed bruxism appliance. The need for immediate treatment is the same for any other existing concern with your oral health, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and others. If you stick to a routine schedule of checkups and cleanings, your dentist will have a good chance of detecting such concerns early and recommending appropriate treatment before they grow more severe.
Improve your chances of preventing tooth loss
With consistent care and attention, you have a good chance of lowering your risks of tooth loss and preserving your healthy, natural smile much longer. To learn more, schedule an appointment with us by calling Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at 913-681-5500. We also serve patients who live in Overland Park and all surrounding communities.
