Adult Tooth Loss Is Common: Here's How to Reduce Your Risk

Losing teeth means struggling with chewing, speaking, and your oral health. However, it's a bigger problem for adults than other age groups, with people in America between 20-64 only having an average of 25 of their 32 adult teeth. Furthermore, over 2% have no teeth at all. The disparity in tooth loss increases when you factor in things like race, ethnicity, and poverty (all of which can limit access to dental care).

Whatever the reasons for losing teeth, you can take steps to lower your risk. Let's explore the common causes of tooth loss, the stages of tooth decay, and how to avoid it. If you live in Mamaroneck, New York, or Stamford, Connecticut, and are struggling with tooth loss or other dental problems, Dr. Gennadiy Kravets and our skilled dental staff at All Bright Dental are here to help.

The most common cause of tooth loss in adults

Periodontitis, or gum disease, is the most common reason for tooth loss. Gum disease is an infection and inflammation of the gums, often resulting from poor dental hygiene. It affects about 40% of people and contributes to about 70% of tooth loss. The condition results from the development of plaque on teeth which can cause gums to recede, creating gaps and causing teeth to loosen.

Other factors include hormonal changes from pregnancy, mouth injuries, and bone density conditions like osteoporosis.

Stages of tooth decay

Plaque is a sticky and colorless film composed of food particles, bacteria, and saliva. Without proper hygiene, it gathers on teeth and hardens into tartar, which makes bacteria more challenging to eliminate. From there, the process of tooth decay includes the following:

• Demineralization: Enamel is the outer shell of your teeth and is the hardest substance in your body, and in this stage, the minerals in it are broken down by plaque bacteria.

• Enamel decay: The process causes the enamel to develop holes that create cavities. 

• Dentin decay: The cavities damage the inner layers of teeth that reach the dentin, which lies beneath the enamel.

• Pulp damage: When the damage reaches the innermost layer of teeth, it causes inflammation and swelling, placing pressure on the nerves and causing pain.

• Abscess: The resulting damage to your pulp causes infection, leading to pockets of pus forming beneath the teeth that can spread into your gums and jaw.

Prevention and treatment

Here’s how to lower your risk of tooth loss:

Improved dental care

Brush and floss more frequently to reduce the plaque and tartar on your teeth. That means doing both twice daily.

Try an electric toothbrush

An electric toothbrush can remove more plaque, slowing gum disease progression to preserve your teeth and improve your dental health.

Visiting our office for cleanings

Professional cleanings are the only way to remove all the plaque and tartar from your teeth. It also lets our team catch any issues early to prevent tooth loss. 

We offer many services to protect, repair, and replace teeth. If you’re dealing with tooth loss or want to prevent it, make an appointment with Dr. Kravets at All Bright Dental today to improve your smile and dental health.