There is a common perception that tooth loss comes natural with age. However, extensive dental research and studies have established that tooth loss has nothing to do with age. With proper care and cleaning, the teeth may stay strong and healthy for longer. Most people start to get a loose teeth problem as soon as they leave their thirties. Loose teeth are the very first indicators of tooth loss.
So if age is not the reason, then what is?
If you want to prevent getting a loose tooth, you must prevent the root causes that led to the problem. Here are some of the major reasons behind loose teeth:
Accidents and Trauma
Sometimes a tooth or a couple of teeth might become loose due to an accident. Accidents are unfortunate events that can hardly be avoided. All you can do is to ensure proper safety measures but you can’t roam around the city with a mouth-guard. So, in these cases, you might need a treatment more than prevention.
Periodontal diseases
Gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis are the most common reasons behind loose teeth. These diseases can affect the firmness of the gums and weaken the ligament that holds the bone and gum together. These diseases may also reach the root of the teeth and cause decay. This also loosens the attachment between the teeth and the gum. Eventually, it becomes so loose that you can even feel it moving during chewing or speaking.
Prevention Of Loose Teeth
The dental science has come a long way and today it is possible to find a treatment for any problem. However, most of the treatment involved with teeth and gum diseases are invasive and expensive. Just a few preventive measures can help you save a lot of money and time.
You can actually prevent loose teeth problems caused by periodontal diseases. Some of the common ways to prevent this problem are as follows:
Improve Your Diet
A tooth becomes loose when the bond between the bone and the gum ligament becomes weak. This can happen even due to infected gums or due to weaker bone. In both cases, your diet can play a very important role. For instance, food that contains phosphorus, calcium and vitamins is extremely helpful in keeping the bone stronger. Similarly, food that reduces inflammation, such as raisins and whole grains, plays a very important role in keeping the gum tissues healthier.
Oral Hygiene
Even the strongest bones and healthiest gums don’t stand a chance against bacteria. Harmful bacteria in the mouth are caused by accumulation of dirt and debris on the surface. Bacteria leads to conditions such as gingivitis and periodontitis and weakens the link between the teeth and gums. That is why it is important to prevent bacteria through proper oral care. It must include regular brushing and flossing.
Proper Brushing
Regular brushing does not mean extensive and harsh brushing. People are often so paranoid about their oral hygiene that they go overboard with the brushing. Harsh movements of the brush can cause injury to the gums. It may also cause the gum line to recede – another reason why the gum ligaments lose their grip on the teeth. So, always keep it gentle and move the brush in an upwards and downwards direction instead of sideways.
Professional Cleaning
Prevention is possible only when proper actions are taken at the right time. You must see a professional dentist at the very first sign of gum disease, even if it’s just a mild pain or sensation. Ask the dentist to scale and polish the teeth in order to remove those slight traces of tarter and plaque that are causing the problem.
Kevin Kerfoot writes about health, nutrition, oral hygiene and skin care for Trusted Health Products natural health blog and newsletter.
Leave a Reply