WHAT CAUSES TOOTH LOSS IN ADULTS?
Despite the advances in dentistry, tooth loss is still a common problem in adults worldwide. Tooth decay, gum disease and trauma are the three biggest causes for early tooth loss. Lack of regular check-ups, smoking and poor oral hygiene can increase the risk of losing teeth from age 35.
Medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis can also contribute to early tooth loss in the absence of adequate dental care and oral hygiene.
CONSEQUENCES OF EARLY TOOTH LOSS IN LIFE
As harmless as it seems, losing even just one tooth as an adult can cause a series of long-term changes in the mouth. Firstly, cosmetic issues can arise when losing a front teeth or even a pre-molar, causing social embarrassment. Secondly, many functional changes take place. Speech and eating can be affected, but most importantly, profound changes in the bite are likely to occur on the long run. The more teeth are lost, the more serious the consequences.
Another problem is that the jawbone depends on the tooth. When a tooth is lost, the bone decreases in volume over the first months and it keeps shrinking over the years. With less bone available for support, it can be difficult to have dental implants, dentures or bridges. When teeth are lost early in life, the resulting collapse of the bone also affects the face, leading to premature aging, sagging and loss of support for the lips.
LOOSING TEETH EARLY IN LIFE CAN LEAD TO BITE PROBLEMS
Each tooth stays in place due to a combination of factors and points of contact, including the presence of neighboring teeth and antagonist teeth in the opposing jaw.
When a tooth is lost, over time, adjacent and opposing teeth start a slow shift towards the empty space, in order to fill the gap. This shift is usually noticed after many years.
These seemingly small changes end up altering the whole dentition. New spaces can appear, upright teeth can start tilting, oral hygiene can become compromised and bite problems can develop.
After years, opposing teeth to a toothless area can move out of their bone socket, resulting in exposure of the root, sensitivity and eventual loss if they do not find a new point of contact. Chewing with fewer teeth can increase the biting force and the load on the remaining teeth, which can lead to tension in the chewing muscles, problems in the jaw joint, pain in the head, neck and back, among other complications.
When several back teeth are lost, the bite becomes very unstable, forcing the jaws to change position in search of stability. As a result, the head changes positions to accommodate for the jaw changes, usually taking a more forward position. This leads to the compression of the cervical spine and back problems, translating into posture problems and potential pain.
TREATMENT FOR TOOTH LOSS IN ADULTS
There are many solutions to replace lost teeth and bring back the functional balance of the bite and the jaws. Each case needs to be evaluated individually, but the options include dental implants, bridges, full and partial dentures.
The decision on how to restore the loss will depend on different factors, including budget, amount of bone available, patient preference, etc.
TOOTH REPLACEMENT AND ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT TO RESTORE THE BITE
In many cases of early tooth loss, replacement happens later in life, meaning that changes have already taken place. In this case, orthodontic treatment can be necessary to correct the position of the remaining teeth and to improve the bite before tooth replacement.
This can be done through clear aligner therapy, such as Invisalign, which are removable trays made of thin plastic. This option is more convenient than braces, making it easier for adults to go through orthodontic treatment.
Prevention is key to avoid tooth loss, including regular visits to the dentist, good oral hygiene, a balanced bite, adequate diet and good general health.
If you have lost a tooth, your dentists can help you make a plan for replacement in order to avoid serious consequences.