Is Dental Bone Loss Serious?
Dental bone loss is definitely serious. Without proper care it can lead to aggressive tooth loss, difficulty speaking and eating, and general discomfort. However, with proper care and prevention, dental bone loss can be mitigated. At the first signs of bone loss, see a dental care professional. Whenever you see a symptom listed below, make your appointment.
- Narrowing of the teeth
- Discoloration of the gums
- Teeth Movement
- Blood or Discharge from the gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Tooth Loss
What causes Dental Bone Loss?
Dental bone loss often begins with tooth loss. Tooth loss usually begins with disease or infection. Once a tooth is broken or falls out, the deep rooted structures in your jaw immediately lose stimuli which strengthens the bone. A tissue called osteoblasts receive stimulation through chewing, eating, and speaking. This stimulation leads to osseointegration, wherein tissues of gum and bone become stronger together, securing your teeth into your jaw roots.
Without this stimulation, a tissue called osteoclasts get to work. Breaking down tissue in bone and gums in order to use for osseointegration elsewhere in the mouth or body’s needs.
What causes tooth loss?
1. Infection- Infections happen when bacteria enter your blood. In dentistry, the bacteria accumulates on leftover food in between and on the surface of your teeth. If the bacteria enter your gumline, they have direct access to your gum tissues, which carry a lot of blood to the tissues surrounding your mouth. Infection can cause you to feel sick, to lose teeth, or to suffer.
2. Disease- Disease can come as a result of infection, from genetics, or simply develop over time. In Dental bone loss the primary culprits of disease are periodontal disease or temporomandibular diseases.
3. Trauma- Accidents which injure the jaw or teeth.
Teeth replacement
If you have lost teeth, or had teeth removed, you should act quickly. As much as 25% of your tooth’s bone loss occurs within the first year following tooth removal. The longer you live with missing teeth, the more likely you are to suffer further tooth loss. You will want to investigate teeth replacement options immediately. To do this, begin with a through cleaning, examination, and x rays at your dentist’s office.
Your Dental Professional
Your dentist is perhaps your greatest resource to combat dental infections, disease, trauma, or dental bone loss. Make appointment with them at the first signs of dental bone loss, or changes in your dental health. With examinations, they can investigate the root causes of dental disease, and the strength of your dental health. This will allow them to make accurate predictions on how to care for your issues, and recommend useful resolutions or teeth replacement options.
Hygienist
Ask to see a dental hygienist as well. They specialize in cleaning and caring for teeth, gums, jaws, and your whole mouth. With a proper cleaning and a great starting point, they can recommend adjustments which will allow you to care for your teeth, new and old, for the rest of your life.