5 Common Causes of Adult Tooth Loss– Tips for Maintaining a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles Shared by Elmhurst General Dentist

Written by Dr. Scharfenberg on Jun 4, 2024

Keeping all your teeth healthy and intact for a lifetime is not impossible if you follow a few simple steps!

We expect tooth loss in young children. In fact, we celebrate tooth loss with a visit from the tooth fairy! Of course, as an adult, tooth loss has a completely different impact on your life.

Many decades ago, tooth loss was considered normal as you aged. But today there is absolutely no reason to face unexpected tooth loss. Our Elmhurst family dentists want you to be fully educated about your dental health, so here are a few things to keep in mind if you want your teeth to last a lifetime.

5 Common Causes of Tooth Loss

There are many reasons why you might face unexpected tooth loss. Understanding the causes of tooth loss can increase your awareness about the state of your oral health and prevent problems that contribute to tooth loss.

  •    Poor oral hygiene – If you don’t brush and floss daily, cavities and gum disease can occur, making tooth loss more likely. We recommend that you brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. It is also advisable to visit your general dentist every six months for check-ups and cleanings.
  •    Poor nutrition – Foods that contain a lot of sugar, carbohydrates, and acids can damage your teeth and gums. Avoid a diet heavy with these types of foods to increase the longevity of your teeth.
  •    Poor habits– Tooth grinding (bruxism) erodes and weakens your teeth over time. Severe grinding and clenching of the jaw can actually fracture a tooth. Smoking or chewing tobacco are two bad habits that aggravate gum disease that can ultimately lead to tooth loss.
  •    Contact sports – Some kids, teenagers, or young adults play contact sports regularly. These include football, hockey, basketball, martial arts and so on. Wearing a mouth guard is very important to prevent trauma that can fracture or injure a tooth.
  •    Dental Anxiety – Some people are so afraid of dental visits that they simply never go, even if they have a toothache. Avoiding dental visits is counterproductive because at some point you’re going to need dental work. At that point, you may be looking at much more complicated problems to fix.

We Can Help

If any of these situations apply to you, we encourage you to contact the Elmhurst family dentists to arrange an appointment. We want you to enjoy the benefits of excellent oral health, and we can give you guidance on turning these bad habits around.