Lifestyle choices, such as diet, injuries, and poor oral hygiene habits, can damage your teeth. When you neglect your dental needs, it can cause conditions like gum disease and tooth loss. While tooth loss may seem rare, millions of Americans have no remaining natural teeth, and that number is increasing dramatically among older adults. Tooth loss can lead to other issues such as infections because your gums are exposed directly to bacteria. When you suffer from significant tooth loss, dentures ensure that you have a natural-looking replacement that protects you against future problems.
Proper oral hygiene is imperative to your overall health. Dental problems are largely preventable, which is why brushing and flossing regularly is one of the most effective preventative measures you can take. Relatively minor conditions, like tooth decay, can lead to more serious problems. Dentists can mitigate or even reverse the early stages of tooth decay if you seek annual and bi-annual dental exams.
The Importance of Dental Hygiene in Avoiding Dentures
Dentures are an excellent solution to oral health problems. But the best way to ensure that you do not need to replace teeth with dentures is to practice good oral hygiene. Your mouth is constantly exposed to bacteria. Food particles can become trapped in your mouth, especially if you do not brush and floss your teeth daily. Bacteria also exist in your mouth to help break down food and other particles. Your diet also plays a major role in your dental health. Foods and beverages that are high in sugar are a prominent cause of tooth decay, as they create an increased amount of acid in your mouth. Sugar combined with plaque results in the enamel of your teeth breaking down. Enamel is the outermost layer of your teeth that protects the interior from harmful bacteria and other particles.
Other causes of tooth decay include:
- Smoking and using other tobacco products
- Medical problems, like GERDs, IBS, and bulimia
- Caffeine
- Dry mouth
- Bacteria build up in your mouth
The good news is that while tooth decay can lead to serious conditions, it is also highly preventable. Ensuring that you brush and floss after meals is important because it prevents substances like sugar from damage your enamel. When tooth decay remains untreated, it can create a path for bacteria to enter the root of your tooth, which can lead to painful infections. Untreated tooth decay can also lead to gum disease and tooth loss.
What Are Dentures?
There are a variety of circumstances that can lead to tooth loss, such as severe infections and impact injuries. If dental issues are neglected, normal interventions cannot save a decaying or infected tooth. When you have tooth loss, it can lead to the shifting of your remaining teeth. Not only can it cause cosmetic problems like gaps, but it can impact alignment, causing overbites and underbites.
Dentures are an excellent option if you are missing most or all of your teeth. Dentures do not require surgery and can create a natural-looking replacement. Additionally, dentures protect your gumlines from harmful bacteria. Suffering from tooth loss can make it hard to chew hard foods, which is another reason why dentures are an excellent choice to help you deal with significant tooth loss. Dentures can ensure that you retain a normal and healthy bite, limiting your risk of experiencing jaw and mouth pain. Dentures are also an affordable option, and your dentist can make you a customized pair to ensure a comfortable fit.
Learn More About Dentures at Splendid Dental Bellaire Today
Struggling with tooth loss can be unsightly and embarrassing. Unfortunately, while tooth loss is normally preventable, it can cause significant damage to your oral health. Leaving your gums exposed to infectious particles like bacteria can cause painful conditions. Luckily, dentures provide a cost-effective and long-term remedy for significant tooth loss. Reach out to Splendid Dental Care Bellaire today at 713-244-7797 to learn more about dentures or schedule a dental appointment.