The Top 3 Reasons Why Teeth are Lost

Because tooth loss affects a large number of people, especially as they grow older, some believe that it’s just a part of the aging process. It’s not, though, and preserving your natural teeth is not only possible, it’s preferable to having to replace lost teeth. Like all things concerning your dental health (and most other things), tooth loss happens for one of several reasons, the most common of which are far from natural or inevitable.

Gum Disease

As the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States, gum disease affects approximately 70% of adults over the age of 65. The infection that leads to gum disease begins with bacteria and inflammation in the gums that surround and support your teeth. As it progresses, gum disease destroys the gums, and the jawbone underneath, until your mouth can no longer support all of your teeth. By the time many people seek treatment for gum disease, their smiles’ foundations have been irreversibly damaged, and their treatment often entails replacing the teeth they’ve lost.

Severe Cavities

Next to gum disease, cavities are one of the most destructive dental issues. Also resulting from a bacterial infection, cavities describe progressive holes in your teeth that grow larger as the decay spreads. In extreme cases, the infection can reach and kill the soft tissues in your tooth’s pulp (center of the tooth), destroying the tooth until it has to be extracted.

Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth, a nuisance to children and adults alike, affect more than your smile’s lovely appearance, they also disrupt the distribution of your bite’s pressure. If your teeth are crooked, then they won’t meet each other evenly when you close your mouth. If only a few teeth meet on contact, then those teeth will bear the brunt of your bite’s pressure, instead of allowing all 28 teeth to share the burden. Excessive pressure can damage your tooth’s structure, cracking it and allowing bacteria to invade the pulp. Some cases of orthodontic treatment may require extracting one or more teeth to allow for proper tooth movement into more ideal positions.

About Your Reno Dentists:

Dr. William Wager, Dr. Brian Evans, and our highly experienced team at Wager Evans Dental are devoted to our patients and their families, and dedicated to providing first-rate dental care in a comfortable, inviting environment. Located in Reno, we proudly welcome residents from Spanish Springs, Sparks, Incline Village, Dayton, Fernley, and all surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation or your next dental appointment, visit our office, or contact us today by calling (775) 800-4845.