How Do You Fix Dental Bone Loss in Teeth?
Dental Bone loss can be detrimental. Your jaw is in pain, it may change shape, and you may lose teeth. You may just experience general discomfort, discharge, or foul smelling breath. It is important to care for dental bone loss quickly, to mitigate any long term damage. Begin by making an appointment to assess what is causing dental bone loss. Then, discuss options with your dental care team for tooth or bone replacement.
What causes Dental Bone Loss?
Dental Bone loss usually occurs when one of three things is happening.
1. Infection- Dental infections are so common, and it is often due to a lack of dental hygiene. It is sad, but this is why every time you see your dentist they reinforce the need to practice proper hygiene.
2. Disease- Some diseases are inherited genetically, some are idiopathic-meaning no one knows what causes them. Some disease is actually a result of infection. So, no matter what is bothering you, you have to take care of yourself and ask for help. At the first sign of jaw pain, tooth looseness, or general discomfort, go see a professional.
3. Trauma- Sometimes accidents happen. You could fall, walk into something, anything can happen. In the event that you damage your jaw or teeth, schedule multiple follow ups. Sometimes bone loss occurs long after the initial trauma.
The Importance of Dental Hygiene
Bone loss is most commonly due to infection and infection related disease. Keep your mouth clean. Food and material in your mouth coalesces in your gums, between your teeth, and on the surface of your teeth. Over time this forms a breeding ground for bacteria. Once that bacteria gets into the tissues of your mouth, it can be difficult to remove. Infection can cause redness, tenderness, discharge, bad breath, tooth loss, and bone loss. Practice proper hygiene every day, whenever you eat.
How can you fix dental bone loss?
If you have already lost teeth, the very best thing you can do is replace them. When you have missing teeth you are leaving an exposed area of gum and tissue for bacteria. You are also risking losing more teeth, as the bones in your jaw are no longer receiving osseo stimuli. Replacing teeth, especially Dental Implants, places a new tooth root into your jaw. This process stimulates osseointegration, where the bone and tissues in your jaw are stimulated to growth. This process can also be initiated with a bone graft, if this is something your dentist and dental surgeon recommend.
See your dentist at the first signs of jaw pain, tooth wiggling, discharge, or red tender gums. The sooner you are seen the sooner you can get a proper cleaning, and a comprehensive examination. Have your dentist take updated x rays, so they can review the overall health of your jaw structure.
Floss regularly, brush two times a day, use mouthwash, and make regular appointments with your dentist. These are the best precautions you can take to care for your mouth and dental health.