If you have been afraid
to smile because you recently lost a tooth, you are not alone. Web MD explains that
more than 178 million people in the United States have lost at least one tooth;
however, there are nine risk factors to consider when it comes to tooth loss.
- Being male
- Over the age of 35
- Never brushing your teeth
- Smoking past or present
- Never seeing a dentist
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Your dentist explains that people who have lost
their anterior or front teeth are more likely to have lost one or more of those
teeth because of gum disease. Although you can’t do much about your sex, age, diabetes,
or arthritis, you can do something about the other risks.
Recent research has
indicated that the leading cause of tooth loss in the world is periodontal
disease, which is the more serious form of gum disease. If you have gingivitis,
it can easily be reversed reducing the risk of tooth loss.
Men are two times
more likely than women to have a tooth or teeth removed. With that being said,
tooth loss is more common in patients over the age of 35.
Three out of 10 people,
both men and women, regardless of age are more likely to lose teeth if they are
smokers or ex-smokers.
Over 40 percent of
patients interviewed in a recent survey admitted to never having professional
dental care maintenance. A whopping 60 percent of people surveyed said they
rarely if ever brush their teeth with a tiny 16 percent saying they brush their
teeth twice a day.
Talk to your doctor
about high blood pressure, as it may be able to be reduced with a healthy diet
and exercise.
Missing teeth not
only affect your self-esteem, but can also be detrimental to your oral health.
If you have missing teeth your run the risk of bone loss. Missing teeth can
also affect the skin around your mouth, as it will begin to sag because of lack
of support. Missing teeth not only make you look older, but also make it more
difficult to speak and chew.
If you have missing
teeth schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine what dental
procedure would be best for your particular needs.
