Dental Implants Can Stop Bone Loss
If you have lost teeth it can be devastating. You do not want to smile, which makes you feel like you’re not enjoying things. The best thing you can do to stop tooth and bone loss is to see your dental professional and repair missing teeth.
What causes Dental Bone loss?
Dental bone loss can be due to a variety of factors, but the most common is infection.
Infection- Dental infections happen when organic material, like food, is not removed from the mouth. Whether the material is on the tooth, between your teeth, or under your gums it decays and becomes a home to bacteria. With time the bacteria multiplies, and occupies more space in the tissue of your mouth. It degrades the living tissue around it and causes infection. Infection can lead to fevers, chills, and foul smelling breath. You may also experience pain or discharge around the infected area.
Gum disease and trauma can also cause bone loss. Disease and symptoms of gum disease need to be followed up on with a dentist or dental hygienist. Trauma which causes bone loss may require surgery or bone grafting to restore damaged jaw structure.
How do you stop dental bone loss?
Tooth replacement is actually a huge step in the process. When you lose teeth you leave vulnerable areas of your gums and jaw exposed. If not cared for properly, these will rapidly become sites of infection. You will also create vulnerability in the supporting structures of your jaw and teeth.
Without proper tooth support, when you chew the biting force of your mouth will be off-kilter. This can lead to damage for your jaw bone, which in turn creates a conducive environment for bone loss.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental Implants are a synthetic tooth replacement option, which are inserted into the jaw bone through your gums. The reinforce the ergonomics of your jaw and chewing muscles. The Implant is attached to a dental anchor, which fuses with existing bone structure in the jaw, in a process called osseointegration. As bone and tissue fuse together, your jaw becomes much stronger again.
Sometimes, in order to support a dental implant, bone grafting may be an option. In this process, healthy bone material is inserted into an area of the jaw with damaged or broken bone structure. Just like with the dental implant, the existing tissues grow to accept the bone graft, strengthening the whole area.
Begin the process to stop Dental Bone Loss
See your dentist and have x rays taken. Have your dentist review the scans and discuss whether you are a candidate for dental implants or bone grafts. See a hygienist to determine the health of your gums and teeth. If you care for your mouth with proper hygiene, you should have an easier time defending against any infections or disease in the future.
If you move forward with dental implants, be diligent in your recovery. Care for your teeth and gums. Brush regularly, and floss often. The easiest way to avoid bacteria is to quickly remove foodstuffs from between your gums and off the surface of your teeth.