Preserve Your Oral Health to Prevent Tooth Loss

For those individuals who want a strong, beautiful smile that functions properly, there is one important component that must be protected: the teeth. A mouth without its teeth is like a car without its wheels, it’s not going to do much for you. And while there are specific problems that can lead to tooth loss, the underlying cause of most of these is poor oral health. At the Cosmetic Dentistry Institute, Drs. Craig and Marcy Goldin offer a range of general dentistry services to preserve the health of the teeth and gums so that tooth loss and poor oral health doesn’t affect our Troy, MI patients.

Causes of Tooth Loss

To understand the leading causes of tooth loss, it is important to understand the anatomy of a tooth. At the center of each tooth is a collection of nerves and tissues, which are known as the “pulp” of the tooth. This inner layer of the tooth is very sensitive, and it is important to protect it against infection. Fortunately, the outer layer of a tooth is composed of a strong, hard material, known as “enamel.” Tooth enamel is essentially a barrier that blocks harmful bacteria from getting into the pulp of the tooth where it can cause an infection, which (if left untreated) could ultimately lead to tooth loss.

Although tooth enamel is strong and durable, it can be worn down, broken down, or otherwise damaged, if it is not protected and kept clean. If a patient does not practice good oral hygiene habits, and if they neglect professional dental care, the teeth can suffer from any number of dental problems that could threaten the health of the teeth and increase the risk of tooth loss. Below are some of the most common dental problems that are linked to tooth loss:

• Tooth decay
• Acid erosion
• Root canal infection
• Gum disease

While these are all specific dental problems that can lead to tooth loss, they can all be linked to poor oral health. Once oral health has been compromised, it is easy for one complication to lead to another, and, if those complications are not treated, they are likely to progress to the point that tooth loss occurs.

Preserving Good Oral Health

Because the majority of tooth loss is caused by poor oral health, it stands to reason that preserving good oral health is the key to protecting the teeth and maintaining a strong, beautiful smile. There are several steps that a patient can take to ensure that the teeth and gums stay strong and healthy. Below are some important tips for preserving good oral health:

• Brush the teeth at least twice a day, and preferably after every meal
• Floss nightly
• Drink plenty of water
• Limit hard, sticky foods and those high in sugars, acids, and starches
• Schedule routine dental exams and cleaning at least twice a year
• Schedule any recommended restorative dental care as soon as possible

Schedule an Appointment

At-home oral hygiene practices are important, but no oral health routine is complete without professional care from an experienced dentist. If you want to protect the health of your teeth and maintain the beauty of your smile, Drs. Craig and Marcy Goldin can help you do just that. Schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience to learn more about our full range of dental services at the Cosmetic Dentistry Institute.