Did you know that over 35 million American adults don’t have any teeth in their smile? Moreover, 120 million are missing at least one tooth. Although dental implants in Jupiter are the closest thing to natural teeth, tooth extraction is often the last resort for dentists. Knowing why people have missing teeth is the first step to understanding the importance of keeping your mouth healthy.
What Are the Top Causes of Missing Teeth?
Severe Tooth Decay
Tooth decay occurs when plaque and tartar buildup eat away at the tooth enamel. Without proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist, this buildup creates holes in the tooth and exposes its sensitive parts, leading to increased dental sensitivity and toothaches. While root canal therapy can save a tooth, severe decay may require extraction to stop the pain and infection.
Gum Disease
Gum disease tops the list of the most common causes of tooth loss. This inflammatory condition significantly impacts the mouth’s hard and soft supporting structures. Furthermore, its first stage called gingivitis produces symptoms, such as swollen and irritated gums, and gums that bleed while brushing or flossing. With good oral hygiene and regular dental cleaning, the disease is reversible at this stage. However, without intervention, gum disease will progress to an advanced and irreversible stage called periodontitis. At this point, the bacteria cause tooth loss as they destroy the gums and jawbone.
Impaction
Impaction occurs when the jaw is too small to accommodate an emerging wisdom tooth. In such cases, the tooth will grow sideways into the neighboring teeth, causing pain, swollen gums, shifting teeth, and unexplained headaches. Dentists relieve the pain and reduce the risk of infection by removing the impacted tooth.
Trauma
Sustaining a strong blow to the face may cause a tooth to become loose, chipped, or cracked. For this reason, sports injuries and car crashes that cause trauma to a tooth may result in tooth extraction. The extent of the damage determines whether or not the dentist needs to remove the tooth.
Considering Dental Implants in Jupiter?
If you’re looking to replace your missing teeth with dental implants, contact Prestige Periodontal & Implant Center to make an appointment. We’re here to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.
