Edentulism: How To Reduce the Risk of Total Tooth Loss?
Posted on 1/25/2021 by Parkway Dentistry at Langtree
According to the American College of Prosthodontics, about 36 million people in the United States don't have teeth. Once a person loses their teeth, it is irreversible and the only option for them is to get artificial dental replacements.
At Parkway Dentistry at Langtree, Dr. Shannon Snipe and Dr. Joshua Miller can help you understand the risk factor for complete tooth loss and how you can increase the chances of retaining your teeth as you age.
Risk Factor for Edentulism
There are several risk factors for edentulism:
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Age: About 70% of people who are older than 65 years of age suffer from gum disease, which is the major causes of tooth loss. Hence, most people have the most risk of losing their teeth after they turn 64.
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Smoking: Multiple evidence-based studies have shown that smoking or use of tobacco can cause severe damage to your oral health. If you are a smoker, you have a much greater chance of losing your teeth and damaging your gums than non-smokers.
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Hereditary: Teeth loss may also be due to your genetics. However, with good lifestyle habits and oral hygiene, you can reduce the risk of that. If tooth loss runs in the family, it is more important for you to keep your routine dental appointments to mitigate this risk factor.
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Other Factors: The type of food you eat, stress, and certain medication can all increase the risk of you developing edentulism. People who have gum disease have a high risk of premature tooth loss. Those who suffer from stress may develop habits like teeth grinding that can damage your teeth. Medication can cause certain conditions like dry mouth or bleeding that deteriorate your oral health.
Although some of these factors may be out of your control, there are many other ways you can reduce the risk of tooth loss. If you are concerned about your dental health, call us today at (704) 662-0021 to schedule an appointment.