Our bodies undergo various changes as we age, and dental health is no exception. One common concern many people have is the potential that they may lose their teeth. While it might seem like age-related tooth loss is an inevitable part of the aging process, it isn’t the standard, and there are several ways to avoid this loss altogether.
At Mills River Family Dental, we understand that many patients may begin to worry that they will deal with age-related tooth loss. However, this tooth loss can be avoided with appropriate oral care and lifestyle choices. If you want to learn more about avoiding losing teeth as you age and what may lead to this loss, keep reading.
Why You’re Losing Adult Teeth
Tooth loss is not an inevitable consequence of aging. While it is true that the likelihood of losing a tooth increases as you age, it is often due to other factors that may not tie directly to your age itself. Some of the most common reasons an individual may experience age-related tooth loss include:
- Periodontal Disease: Gum disease is one of the most prominent causes of age-related tooth loss. It is often the result of long-term neglect of oral hygiene or preexisting conditions that worsen over time. As your gums recede, your teeth may become looser, eventually leading to permanent loss.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: As we mentioned above, gum disease results from long-term neglect of your oral hygiene. When it comes to age-related tooth loss, failing to brush and floss properly can have a significant impact. Without proper oral hygiene, you allow bacteria to spread throughout your mouth, leading to tooth decay and eventual loss.
- Unhealthy Lifestyle: Age-related tooth loss isn’t just the result of daily oral hygiene. Some of the things you do in your everyday life, including eating a high-sugar diet, smoking, and chewing hard items like ice, can cause tooth damage and loss.
- Dental Trauma: You might think of dental trauma as an injury that is almost exclusive to children. However, dental trauma can occur at any point throughout your life and, in more extreme cases, may lead to tooth loss.
- Medication: As you get older and you take more medications, you may notice a change in your oral health. Certain medications, like diuretics, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants, can cause dry mouth or affect oral health, indirectly contributing to age-related tooth loss.
Easy Ways to Avoid Tooth Loss
While you may worry about your risk of age-related tooth loss, there are several steps you can take to prevent this loss and maintain a healthy smile throughout your life. Some of the easiest ways to protect yourself from tooth loss include:
Brush and Floss
Investing in your oral hygiene routine is the easiest way to avoid tooth loss. Remember to brush your teeth twice a day to remove plaque, tartar, bacteria, and lingering food particles. Make sure to use a fluoride-rich toothpaste to protect your teeth from decay. You should also floss at least once a day to remove bacteria and food particles that are stuck deep between your teeth or beneath your gums.
Stop Using Tobacco Products
If you have used tobacco products, including cigarettes, vape pens, and nicotine pouches, it may be in your best interest to give them up to protect your teeth. Excessive tobacco use can lead to chronic dry mouth, tooth decay, and eventual loss. Giving up tobacco products can be difficult, which is why it is best to utilize as many resources as possible. While trying to give up these products, consider investing in nicotine gum, mints, support groups, or patches to help you through the process.
Eat a Healthy Diet
A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports dental health and can help you protect yourself from oral health problems. Foods high in calcium and vitamin D are particularly beneficial for your teeth and gums. The best way to add more vitamin-rich foods to your diet is by slowly incorporating them. Try to add fruits or vegetables to one meal at a time, and slowly work from this starting point.
Schedule Regular Dental Appointments
Finally, to avoid age-related tooth loss, remember to schedule twice-yearly appointments with your trusted dental team. During these appointments, your dentist can help you spot minor oral health conditions before they become more severe. They may also provide you with oral hygiene tips to ensure you are properly caring for your teeth between appointments.
Protect Yourself from Tooth Loss with Mills River Family Dental
While you can do everything in your power to avoid age-related tooth loss, some tooth decay may be too advanced to prevent. In cases where you do lose one or more teeth, it is best to reach out to your dental team to discuss whether partial dentures or dental implants are the right choice for your oral health.
If you are looking for a reliable dental team in the Mills River, NC, area to help you find the right dental prosthetic, turn to our team at Mills River Family Dental. With years of experience helping patients across the area achieve better oral health, we are confident that our team can do the same for you.
When you are ready to invest in dental prosthetics, don’t hesitate to contact us for support.