What Causes Bone Loss?
Dental bone loss can quickly become serious business. The last thing you want to do is ignore it, or live without a plan to replace missing teeth. If you have experienced loosening of teeth, jaw pain, persistent bad breath, or any symptoms of bone loss get yourself checked out promptly. Dental bone loss can be caused by several different things, but the most common by far is infection.
Dental Infections
Infection begins with bacteria, When you eat food, you chew and masticate it into a slurry. Tiny bits of food become wedged into your gums, between your teeth, on the surface of your teeth, and along your cheek. Even if you brush and floss, some tiny bits may stick around. Over time, those tiny bits degrade and change into bacteria laden plaque. The thick filmy plague builds up on surfaces and the harmful bacteria becomes weaponized against tissue. As bacteria grows and breaks down tissue, it enters the blood vessels and becomes an infection. Infection can make you sick; give you fevers, cause discharge or bleeding, make your breath stink and your jaw hurt. Infections can get down into the root of your teeth and into your jaw, where they attack your bones.
Trauma
Life throws curveballs at us, and sometimes those curveballs hit us in the jaw. Structural damage to the mouth is usually assessed when it happens, but sometimes it may be weeks or months after when we notice the persistent pain. If anything has caused your jaw to hurt, or tooth loss, make an appointment and get assessed for bone loss trauma.
Disease
No one like getting sick, and we especially do not enjoy persistent chronic disease. Some people just have genetic disadvantages when it come to their teeth and disease. Some people have genetic conditions which affect their osteoblasts, the tissue organelles that stimulate growth in our bones. Some people live with osteoporosis, which is a disease of the bones. With anything else, monitor your body as best as you can, and ask for help when you notice something; like loose or missing teeth.
How can you stop dental bone loss?
You can replace missing teeth, practice strong dental hygiene, and keep a good relationship with your dentist. Make regular checkup appointments and monitor frequently. There is no one size fits all approach to your health. Replacing missing teeth protects the gum and jaw structure, which keeps your other teeth securely in place. Implants and bone grafts may help to resupport the jaw and stimulate osteoblasts. Thorough hygiene and frequent cleanings may help to prevent infection. Stopping bone loss is a daily fight, on multiple fronts. Even after doing everything right, you could walk into a wall and bust out a tooth, it happens every day.
Make sure to keep in touch with your dental care team, ask about options, and make a plan of attack. The only thing standing between you and a healthy smile, is you. If you are experiencing signs of infection, tooth loss, or dental bone loss, speak with your dental care team today.