How many teeth do you have? It’s probably not as many as you started with. Shocking statistics suggest that by the age of 50, Americans have lost an average of 12 of their teeth. Despite tooth loss being so common, missing teeth can leave people facing issues such as difficulty biting and chewing, speech impediments and feelings of self-consciousness, embarrassment and even shame about the appearance of their smile.

Thankfully, there is no need to live with problems relating to a missing tooth. Here’s what you need to know about why tooth loss occurs and what you can do if you are affected.

Causes of tooth loss

There are many things that can cause someone to lose one or more of their teeth, with some being more likely that others. Here are some of the most common causes of tooth loss.

Gum disease

Gum disease is actually a leading reason why you might lose a tooth, accounting for around 70% of missing teeth in U.S. adults. Gum disease occurs when plaque – the clear, sticky film that forms on your teeth when you don’t brush them properly – spreads onto the gums. Bacteria found in plaque attack the gums, causing soreness and irritation. As gum disease progresses, it can cause the gums to recede, enabling bacteria to attack the tooth root and the jawbone which are responsible for holding teeth in place.

Severe decay

Cavities are caused by poor tooth brushing, which enables plaque acids to eat away at the layers of the teeth one at a time until the root is exposed. If you have very severe dental decay, you could be at risk of losing the affected tooth.

Physical trauma

A knocked-out tooth is surprisingly common, and easily occurs as a result of a trauma to the face. This could be a slip, trip or fall that causes a blunt force impact to the face, being hit, or even as a result of an airbag deploying into your face in a car accident.

If you lose a tooth through trauma

If you suffer from a knocked-out tooth, it may be possible to replace it provided it isn’t too damaged and you can locate it. Be very careful not to touch the tooth root and to pick it up by the enamel part instead. The less a tooth root is handled, the more likely your dentist will be able to replace it. Pop the recovered tooth into a cup of water or milk and get to your dentist as quickly as possible.

Replacing missing teeth with dental implants

If you have lost a tooth due to gum disease or decay, or it’s been knocked out and can’t successfully be replaced, you may be left with a gap in your smile that affects the function or appearance of your teeth. Fortunately, this can be successfully replaced with dental implants.

Dental implants are considered to be the most secure, durable and natural of any tooth replacement solution. Each dental implant has two main components that are connected via a special attachment. One part is a biocompatible titanium post, which is surgically implanted into the jawbone. Once inserted, the bone heals around the implanted post, anchoring it permanently in position. The other is a custom-designed porcelain crown that is designed to replicate your natural tooth, created in the identical shape, size and shade.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

There are a range of reasons why dental implants are considered to be a superior tooth replacement treatment compared to traditional alternatives. These include the following:

Durability. Since they are placed into the bone of the jaw, dental implants are extremely strong and durable, able to withstand considerable biting pressure. With the right care and attention, dental implants can last upwards of 20 years.

Appearance. Dental implants are also considered to be the closest in appearance to natural teeth. In fact, they are so discreet that it’s virtually impossible to tell them apart from your normal teeth. One of the reasons for this is the bespoke crown, which is carefully designed to replicate your missing tooth and will match the rest of your smile in terms of size, shape and color.

No limits on what you can eat. Many people who wear other tooth replacement solutions spend a lot of time thinking about what they eat, mainly because they are worried about their replacement coming loose. However, as implants are anchored directly into the jaw, there are no limitations on what you can eat.

Easy to look after. Although they can’t be affected by decay, dental implants can still become covered in plaque, and it is important to remove this to prevent gum disease. Fortunately, it is very easy to take care of dental implants and they can be brushed and flossed just like regular teeth.

If you’d like more advice about what to do if you lose a tooth, please contact our friendly and experienced dental team at Weston Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery by call ing (954) 507-6441.