Generally, people associate losing their teeth with age, but the reality is not only seniors suffer from tooth loss. A well-cared for set of teeth can last decades, but teeth can fall out (or need to be pulled out) prematurely for several different reasons.

Since losing your teeth can be costly, affect your diet, change the way you smile, and even alter your self-esteem, you can take steps to protect your teeth from premature tooth loss — and if you are a parent, you can help your children keep their teeth in good condition.

Follow these simple tips to keep your teeth where they belong: in your mouth.

USE A MOUTHGUARD

One of the simplest ways to lose a tooth is through trauma. If you play sports (or if any of your children play sports), contact your dentist about getting properly fitted for a mouthguard. This way, if you are ever hit in the mouth or if you land hard after a tackle, your teeth are less likely to become displaced.

Your dentist might also suggest a night mouthguard for people who grind their teeth. Grinding wears down your enamel, which increases the risk of decay, but it also affects your gums. The constant pressure of grinding causes your gums to pull back from your teeth.

Over time, the loss of healthy gum tissue from around your tooth roots can weaken your teeth and lead to eventual tooth loss many years before you might expect.

TAKE CARE OF CHIPS

Tooth chips are another hidden source of eventual tooth loss. When you chip a tooth, you might assume that if there’s no lasting pain, there’s no harm done. However, some chips to your teeth can leave tiny fractures that open up the softer interior of your teeth to bacteria. The infection spreads and the tooth becomes abscessed.

Also, just the force of the blow that causes the chip could leave the tooth intact but bruised. Instead of healing after bruising, however, the tooth slowly dies from the inside out. After your tooth has lost the battle, your body sees it as foreign and starts to form an abscess.

At this point, the tooth often cannot be saved. Dental abscesses are very serious, and pulling the tooth out can often be the only option.

To avoid the possibility of infection, get all chips looked at by your dentist to make sure they aren’t serious, even if they seem only superficial.

USE THE RIGHT TOOTHBRUSH

A common mistake that people often make in their dental hygiene routine is using the wrong toothbrush and brushing too hard. Brushing hard with a firm brush aggravates the delicate gum tissue that holds your teeth in place. As it becomes irritated, it begins to pull away from the teeth.

With more of the same harsh treatment, pockets can form around your teeth that catch bacteria and cause infection. Gum disease worsens and your teeth decay or become loose because your gums are not healthy enough to provide structural support.

Use only a soft brush, and use gentle strokes to clean your teeth.

STOP SMOKING AND OTHER TOBACCO USE

Nicotine, along with other additives and chemicals in tobacco products, constricts blood flow. Since your gums and teeth actually have very rich blood supplies, the reduced blood flow makes it harder for them to get the oxygen they need to heal and replenish cells as they die.

The result is that your gums and teeth are more susceptible to disease and decay. People who smoke are much more likely to suffer from early tooth loss, and they are less prime candidates for restorative dental work that requires extensive healing because smoking slows your body’s ability to fight infection and recover from invasive procedures.

For more information on premature tooth loss, contact us at Town Center Family Dental.