There’s a reason behind every dental health concern and symptom that you experience, and addressing those reasons is the key to restoring your smile. However, while issues such as tooth decay and gum disease can often be managed, more serious concerns like tooth loss require a more comprehensive approach. Fortunately, you can effectively rebuild your smile with a lifelike prosthesis. However, your dentist can offer better results by helping you avoid the causes behind tooth loss and avoid needing tooth replacement.
Severe Gum Disease
The most frequent cause of adult tooth loss is severe gum disease—a condition that involves the progressive destruction of your gums, periodontal tissues, and jawbone structure. Gum disease causes rampant inflammation in your gum tissues, which leads to the erosion of the structures that support your teeth. In extreme cases, one or more of your teeth can be left with inadequate support, causing them to fall out or require extraction so that your dentist can address the disease.
Internal Tooth Infection
Tooth infection, or tooth decay, is most commonly known for the cavities that it causes. While most cavities can be treated conservatively with a tooth-colored filling, some cases of internal tooth infection may require root canal treatment or extraction. For some patients, the infection can be so severe that saving the tooth is no longer an option, and extracting it may be the best option for stopping the infection.
Dental Emergencies
A dental emergency can mean many things, but often, it involves serious damage to one or more teeth, or to the tissues and jawbone that support them. Tooth avulsion (the complete dislodging of your tooth’s root) can occur if enough force is applied to the area, or the tooth may be so severely damaged that your dentist cannot restore it. Emergencies are not always preventable, but you can reduce your risks of one by wearing a mouthguard while playing contact sports.
Avoid the Causes of Tooth Loss
The best way to avoid having to rebuild your smile is to recognize and prevent the common causes of tooth loss! To learn more about how to protect your smile, schedule a consultation by calling Dr. Steven Huffstutler in Ft. Worth, TX, today at 817-918-3038.