| The most common causes of tooth loss are dental caries, also known as tooth decay, and periodontal disease, which affects the gums and bone structure that supports the teeth. Loss of all natural teeth can result in a person's psychological, social, and physical impairment. Some people have difficulties adjusting back to a normal life after losing their natural teeth. This is because even when missing teeth are replaced with well-constructed dentures, there may be some limitations in speech, chewing ability, taste perception, and quality of life. Therefore, it is important to understand how tooth loss occurs and take steps to prevent it, through education, early diagnosis, and regular dental care. The rest of this article discusses the causes, symptoms and treatments for periodontal disease and dental caries. Periodontal Disease Periodontal disease is a series of infections that attack the gums, jaw bone, muscles, and ligaments - all the supports for your teeth. In the early stage, one experiences gingivitis, a gum inflammation that does not affect the bone and usually disappears with improved brushing and flossing. The more advanced stage – periodontitis - includes bone and tooth loss. As periodontal disease is virtually painless, the symptoms are not obvious until serious damage has occurred. This disorder is uncommon in childhood but increases during adolescence. It accounts for much of the tooth loss in adults, particularly those over the age of 35. |
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| Causes | ||||||||||||||||||
| Plaque contains bacteria, which in turn create toxins (poisons), irritate the gums and result in a breakdown of the attachment of gum tissues to teeth. The accumulation of plaque and tartar (calculus) at the base of the teeth breeds infection. Inflammation causes a pocket, which is filled with plaque and tartar, to develop between the gums and the teeth. If left untreated, the infection and inflammation may start to spread from the gums (gingiva) to the ligaments and bone that support the teeth. Eventually, loss of support causes the teeth to become loose and fall out. Besides plaque, a number of other factors can increase the risk, severity and speed of development of the condition. Smokers, pregnant women and people who use oral contraceptives are more likely to have periodontal diseases. Poor diet may cause periodontal diseases to progress more rapidly. Poorly fitted bridges, badly aligned teeth or defective fillings can all contribute to plaque retention and increase the risk of developing periodontal diseases. Excessive biting forces on your teeth, such as clenching or grinding, may also accelerate the rate at which supporting bone is lost. Diseases, such as AIDS or diabetes, can lower the tissues' resistance to infection, making periodontal diseases more severe. Certain medications such as steroids, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers and many others - also affect the gums. |
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| Signs & Symptoms | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Treatment | ||||||||||||||||||
| The teeth have to be cleaned thoroughly to remove deposits from the teeth. Surgical treatment may be necessary if deep pockets have to be opened and cleaned. Loose teeth may need to be supported. Extraction of a tooth may be necessary for advanced periodontitis so that destruction doesn't spread to adjacent teeth. For some people, a dental implant may be necessary to replace teeth that are lost. Dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. They help restore the confidence about how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally. With proper care and maintenance, implants can last a lifetime. |
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| Prevention | ||||||||||||||||||
| Good oral hygiene, including thorough tooth brushing and flossing, and regular professional dental cleaning, is the best means of prevention. Some of the measures to take are:
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