Tooth loss can occur as a result of several different dental conditions. Understanding the causes of missing teeth will help you determine the best treatment options for your specific case.
You should also know that missing a tooth can affect your overall oral health, so it’s essential to identify the cause of tooth loss in adults, whether genetic, behavioural, or environmental, and seek professional dental care as soon as possible.
Cavities or Tooth Decay
Cavities or tooth decay are caused by bacteria in the mouth. If a cavity goes untreated, it can lead to more serious problems like a dental abscess and even tooth loss. Cavities can be prevented with regular brushing and flossing, but if you have a cavity that needs to be filled, the dentist can remove the decay and restore the tooth with a tooth coloured composite filling or porcelain inlay for you
Gum Disease (Periodontitis)
Gum disease is caused by bacteria building up around the teeth. It can harm your gums and eventually cause tooth loss. Gum disease can also cause bad breath, jaw pain, swelling of the gums, tenderness, and bleeding.
Tooth loss due to periodontitis is usually gradual rather than sudden. The first sign of gum disease may be bleeding gums after brushing or flossing your teeth. They may also feel spongy or tender. You might also notice a change in the colour or texture of your gums: they could become more red or shiny than normal, bluish-black (the result of dead tissue), or white and shiny (the result of overgrowth by bacteria.)
These are signs of inflammation because they indicate an inflammatory process has started inside the gum surrounding the roots of a tooth (gingiva.) If left untreated this inflammation can lead to further damage such as bone loss around all teeth which leads downstream into further serious dental issues such as root exposure.
Grinding Your Teeth
Some people grind their teeth. It is called bruxism, and it’s a problem that causes chipping and cracking of the teeth, as well as tooth wear. Bruxism can also damage the jawbone and surrounding muscles, which may cause headaches, jaw pain, and eventual tooth loss.
Physical Injuries
Injuries may cause teeth to fall out. A blow to the mouth or face, such as being hit by a ball or falling off a bicycle, can cause major damage to your teeth and gums.
Injuries may also cause loss of bone. A tooth that is knocked out during a sporting event might leave behind an empty socket, which will rot if not treated right away with a dental prosthesis such as a dental implant.
Consider a mouthguard as part of your sports uniform.
Chewing Tobacco and Cigarettes
Chewing tobacco is as addictive as cigarettes. They can both cause cancer of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, and stomach. They can also cause gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss. Chewing tobacco leads to oral cancer (cancer of the lips or tongue) and increases the risk of getting a type of throat cancer called nasopharyngeal carcinoma (cancer in the back part of your nose.)
Missing Adult Teeth Lead To Bigger Health Issues
When a tooth is missing, patients can suffer from a number of dental health issues.
A gap in your teeth can’t protect other teeth from decay. Without proper protection, your remaining teeth are more susceptible to cavities and gum disease. Additionally, if you don’t have enough teeth to chew food properly, this could lead to weight gain due to overeating or malnutrition as a result of improper food digestion.
Other issues that may arise from missing adult teeth include the lack of symmetry in your smile, jawbone shrinkage, uneven bite, speech impediments, and lack of confidence.
Get Regular Dental Check-Ups
It’s important to understand what can cause tooth loss in adults and how it can affect your oral health. Practising good oral hygiene will keep your teeth in the best condition possible. Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and getting regular dental checkups are simple steps that can help you keep your teeth healthy and prevent tooth loss.
