Dental Implants are a great way to replace missing teeth, however there are steps that can be taken to help avoid tooth loss and keep your mouth healthy. Almost all tooth loss and tooth decay can be prevented with good oral hygiene. Below are 10 tips to get you started.
Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in the UK. Gum disease is caused by excessive plaque build-up. However outside factors can weaken the teeth’s defences and encourage rapid growth of plaque. Leading causes of gum disease include:
Gum disease can be avoided by removing plaque through brushing twice daily and flossing, and cutting out habits that can encourage the growth of plaque such as smoking or poor diet.
High levels of sugar in a diet can rot teeth and encourage bad bacteria, promoting gum disease that leads to tooth loss. Chewy sweets such as toffee can also pull out whole teeth or sections of a weak tooth.
Go to your dentist twice a year. As the symptoms of gum disease don’t show until advanced stages, most people don’t know they have it. Dentists are trained to recognise the early stages of gum disease meaning that regular trips to the dentist put you in the best position to combat early symptoms before they develop further.
Even healthy teeth can be at risk from falling out or being removed. When two forces come together something has to give, as this AFL player learned.
Unexpected trauma is a common cause of tooth loss and can occur at any age. However precautions can be taken to avoid unexpected incidents. If you are participating in contact sports ensure you wear a gum shield or facial protection. You should also be aware of what goes into your mouth. Chewing hard objects such as Ice cubes, pens, and boiled sweets can result in tooth loss no matter how healthy your teeth are.
Grinding teeth, or bruxism, can lead to weakness in the enamel, the protective layer in your teeth. Over time this can make your teeth more susceptible to decay. If your teeth show signs of bruxism, your dentist may recommend a mouth guard worn at night to prevent grinding.
Approximately 50 percent of bacteria in the mouth live on our tongue. As mouth bacteria is one of the main causes of tooth loss it is important to brush the tongue as well as the teeth. Most high quality tooth brushes come with tongue scrapers attached. Remembering to use them is an important part of your daily oral routine.
Smoking is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in the UK with smokers being twice as likely to suffer tooth loss as non-smokers. Not starting, or quitting smoking is a must for keeping a healthy mouth.
In addition to brushing and flossing, rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial rinse can help prevent decay and gum problems. Chewing sugar-free gum after a meal can also protect your teeth by increasing saliva flow, which washes bacteria away and neutralizes acid.
It is well known that the health of your teeth is a reflection of your overall body health. Eating and drinking healthily can help you keep your mouth healthy for years to come. Eating low sugar and calcium rich foods is an easy change to make to keep your teeth healthy
It’s never too early to make positive changes to protect your dental health. Although tooth loss may be associated with older generations, the steps you can take to avoid tooth loss should be taken at as early an age as possible.
Have you already suffered from tooth loss? If you have then Chris Wood can help. Our painless customer journey makes you feel comfortable and free consultation makes sure that you are fully informed before you commit to our process.
