Causes of Natural Tooth Loss

Natural tooth loss is an avoidable part of life. While good oral hygiene and regular visits to a dentist's office go a long way when it comes to keeping teeth healthy and strong, most people lose some of their permanent teeth over the course of their lives.

Common causes of natural tooth loss

1. Trauma

Trauma directly to a tooth or other areas of the jaw is one of the most common reasons for tooth loss. The trauma can be the result of chewing on something that is too hard like frozen candy or getting hit in the face while playing sports.

Teeth are the strongest part of the body, but many things can weaken them like:

• Opening bottles with teeth
• Chewing on ice or other hard items
• Tearing off tags with teeth
• Teeth grinding and clenching
• Tooth Loss From Disease

Doing these things can weaken a person's tooth and lead to it falling out of its socket.

2. Tooth decay

Tooth decay is one of the most common dental diseases, and it is also one of the leading causes of natural tooth loss. When a person eats or drinks, food particles are left behind on the surfaces of their teeth. These food particles are broken down into acids by the bacteria that live in the mouth.

These acids weaken the protective cover of teeth called the enamel, and eventually destroy the inner layers as well. When left unaddressed with fillings or a root canal, tooth decay will subsequently lead to the complete loss of a tooth.

People who have poor oral hygiene are more likely to have tooth decay since food particles, and bacteria get to stay on their teeth for prolonged periods.

3. Gum disease

Gum disease is another one of the leading causes of tooth decay. It is also caused by the bacteria that live inside the mouth. When plaque is left to accumulate on teeth, it eventually turns into tartar. This tartar is a calcified plaque, and, over time, it makes it way beneath the gumline. It leads to the irritation of the gum pockets, activating the immune system's response.

This leads to the inflammation of the gums, and the result is the gums pulling backward, leaving teeth roots exposed. These roots are not designed to be able to withstand the acids in the mouth, and they quickly begin to deteriorate, eventually leading to the tooth falling out.

Other factors that increase a person's odds of losing teeth include:

• Bad habits like smoking and teeth grinding
• Poor diet
• Medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis

Preventing natural tooth loss

Here are a few things that help to prevent teeth from falling out:

• Practice good oral hygiene
• Visit a dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning and checkup
• Have dental issues dealt with as soon as they occur
• Wear protective gear while playing sports
• Avoid bad habits like chewing on hard things and teeth grinding

We are always here to help! 

Contact one of our dentists to learn more about tooth loss and how to prevent it.

Request a dental appointment here: https://www.diamondheaddentalcare.com or call Diamond Head Dental Care at (808) 450-2101 for an appointment in our Honolulu dental office.