Tooth loss in adults

Adult tooth loss (edentulism) is an oral health condition that is thought to affect 27% of seniors, 65 years or older. This may seem like an overwhelming statistic but the condition is fully preventable. Here we will summarise the risk factors, ways to prevent adult tooth loss and signs of early-onset.

Unfortunately, when adult tooth loss occurs, it is irreversible, and the only option is to get your teeth replaced. So whilst it can feel disheartening to hear there is no cure for adult tooth loss, there are plenty of teeth replacement options available to you, should you ever need them.

Risk factors

There are several risk factors associated with total tooth loss. Many of them are the risk factors for periodontal disease, which, in turn, causes tooth loss. If you know you are at risk for gum disease, you are most likely on a slow but preventable path towards adult tooth loss.

The main risk factors for tooth loss:

Age

Over 70 per cent of people older than 65 have gum disease in some form. This is the main reason that people lose their teeth.

Smoking

Your chances of losing your teeth and damaging your gums vastly increase if you smoke or use tobacco products or have ever done in the past. Smoking damages your body in a variety of ways, from giving you a reduced ability to recover after surgery to making you more prone to gum disease. Therefore, smoking is a severe risk factor for adult tooth loss.

Diabetes

22% of people diagnosed with diabetes have periodontal disease. This is because diabetes makes your body slower to heal and makes you more susceptible to infections. These are therefore also risk factors for periodontal disease, which eventually leads to tooth loss.

Other factors

Stress, medicines you take for other conditions, and the types of food you eat can also increase your risk of tooth loss.

Stress can make us grind our teeth, which can cause teeth to crumble and break. Sometimes we don’t even know we are doing it.

Some prescribed medicines can cause dry mouth, which then limits the production of saliva in your mouth that would break down gum disease-causing bacteria.

Prevention of tooth loss

Steps towards preventing tooth loss mean maintaining daily dental hygiene routines.

It is recommended that you brush your teeth twice a day and clean between your teeth once a day with floss or a similar product. Then we suggest swishing with a mouthwash to remove any remaining bacteria.

Maintaining a good oral health routine is vitally important for your overall health but is one of the most important preventive measures against adult tooth loss. Starting now, whatever your age, will be beneficial!

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