Stop Tooth Loss
May 2nd, 2008Loss of all natural permanent teeth (edentulism) substantially reduces quality of life, self-image, and daily functioning. Although tooth loss results from oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontitis, it also reflects patient and dentist attitudes, availability and accessibility of dental care, and the prevailing standard of care.
49% of seniors believe that tooth loss and declining oral health are inevitable as we grow older.
Most tooth loss is the result of dental caries and periodontal diseases. Tooth loss can be prevented through education, early diagnosis, and regular dental care.
There are somewhere about 21 causes of Tooth Loss:
- Aarskog Syndrome - missing teeth
- Acatalasia
- Coffin-Lowry syndrome - missing teeth
- Dental caries
- Down syndrome
- Gingivitis - tooth loss
- Gum disease - tooth loss
- Histiocytosis X
- Hyperostosis corticalis deformans juvenilis
- Hypophosphatasia
- Incontinentia Pigmenti - missing teeth
- Loose tooth
- Mouth trauma
- Normal childhood tooth loss
- Papillon Lefevre syndrome
- Periodontal disease
- Periodontitis - tooth loss
- Polyostotic osteolytic expansile dysplasia
- Rieger Syndrome - missing teeth
- Tooth decay
- Tooth injury
People must recognize the signs and symptoms of oral and systemic diseases and know the oral and general health care practices necessary to prevent them and tooth loss. The level of edentulism reflects not only the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease, but also the availability and use of appropriate professional services and community preventive services.
Also recent study found that subjects with periodontitis who were exposed to secondhand smoke were more likely to develop bone loss, the number one cause of tooth loss.
Researchers studied rats that were induced with periodontal disease. Results showed that bone loss was greater in the subjects exposed to secondhand smoke regardless of if it was smoke from light or non-light cigarettes than those who were exposed to no smoke at all.
This study really drives home the fact that even if you don’t smoke the effects of secondhand smoke can be devastating. Part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle should include avoiding smoke filled places such as nightclubs, bars and even some restaurants.
Categories: Jaw and Bones, Teeth














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