Posted: October 9, 2017
Having sufficient bone levels in your mouth is very important not only for esthetic reasons, but for functional reasons as well. There are many reasons why we lose bone in our oral cavity, such as aging, trauma or periodontal disease.
One of the best ways to prevent bone loss is by maintaining good oral hygiene habits daily. Failing to do so can lead to gingivitis, inflammation of the gums. When gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress into periodontitis. If gingivitis advances into periodontitis, the inner layer of the gum tissue and bone pull away from the teeth and form pockets. When these pockets develop, they can collect debris and infect the spaces between the teeth and the gums. If pockets (spaces) become infected, it triggers the body’s immune system to fight the infection, and this process leads to a release of enzymes that start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place. If left untreated, the disease advances and causes the pocket depths to increase and more bone and gum tissue is destroyed. When this occurs, there is no longer support around the teeth, which allows the teeth to become looser and eventually there will be loss of the tooth itself.
Regular dental checkups every six months can aid in preventing and controlling periodontal disease. At Museum Smiles, we can provide you with all the necessary information on what periodontal disease is, what causes it and ways to manage your unique case.
The most common culprit behind bone loss is removal of teeth that are not replaced, especially multiple teeth. For example, losing a tooth or having a tooth extracted can lead to bone loss surrounding the area where the pre-existing tooth resided. Bone in your jaw is preserved through pressure and stimulus of chewing. When a tooth is extracted or lost, the bone resorbs. Within the first year after a tooth is extracted about 25% of surrounding bone is lost, and continues to do so. Replacing missing teeth with appropriate dental appliances or implants immediately after a tooth is lost can aid in preventing great bone loss.
Bone loss can be prevented and controlled when detected at its earlier stages, visiting your dentist regularly is the best way to do so. If you have any questions regarding bone loss, periodontal disease or tooth extractions give us a call and schedule an appointment with us today! We are conveniently located within minutes of Downtown Fort Worth. And proudly serve patients from Arlington, Keller, and Fort Worth areas.
