Everyone wants to have a beautiful smile full of healthy, white teeth. However, there are a variety of factors that can affect your oral health as well as the appearance of your smile. If you are missing one or more teeth, you might be a good candidate for dental implants in Newton . Dental implants are strong and stable, and function more like your natural teeth than other replacement options. Despite the effectiveness of dental implants, it is still preferable to keep your natural teeth. Read on to learn what you can do to avoid becoming a tooth loss statistic.

Stick to an Oral Care Regimen

One of the first steps to better oral health is to practice a good at-home dental care routine. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to protect your enamel. Flossing is also very important, and should be done once per day. By sticking to a good at-home oral care regimen, you can fight off decay and gum disease, which could otherwise lead to tooth loss.

Take Care of Clenching

Do you often wake up with your jaw feeling sore or tired? If so, it’s possible that you clench or grind your teeth at night. This can wear down your teeth and lead to cracks that must be repaired at the risk of losing a tooth. A bite guard can lessen the stress on your teeth and even contribute to a better night’s sleep, so talk to your dentist about what you can do to minimize clenching and grinding.

Avoid Smoking

Smoking or using tobacco in any form can be hazardous to your health, including your oral health. People who smoke have a higher risk of developing gum disease, and smoking can make recovering from gum disease much more difficult. If gum disease is allowed to progress, it can cause teeth to shift, loosen, and even fall out. Quitting smoking is the right choice for your health and your smile.

If you know anything about oral health, you know that gum disease is a serious problem. That’s why it’s important to visit your periodontist in Newton regularly for oral examinations and teeth cleaning. Otherwise, you could end up losing your teeth and needing dental implants. In addition to maintaining a healthy dental care routine, it’s important to be as informed as possible about the potential dangers of gum disease. Keep reading to learn more about the stages of gum disease, also known as periodontitis.

Early Stage: Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the early form of gum disease and results in the inflammation of the gums. During this early stage of gum disease, bacteria in the plaque around your teeth start to build up. This causes your gums to become inflamed and irritated, and may cause bleeding. However, there is no permanent bone or tissue damage in this early stage of periodontitis.

Advanced Stage: Periodontitis

Untreated gingivitis often advances to periodontitis. When periodontitis takes hold, the inner layer of the gum and jawbone begin to come away from the teeth. This leaves exposed pockets between the teeth and gums that can collect plaque and become infected below the gum line. The body’s immune system will try to fight this progression of bacteria. However, these infection-fighting enzymes, along with the periodontitis-causing bacteria, produce harmful toxins that can damage the jawbone and connective tissue that stabilize the teeth. Over time, the teeth will become loose and fall out.

Replacement of Tooth Loss from Periodontitis

After losing your teeth to periodontitis, you have a couple of options. One option is to wear dentures, which can easily be taken out of the mouth. Another option is a dental bridge, which places replacement teeth on the gums with the support of the surrounding surviving teeth. Finally, dental implants can be used to replace missing teeth. This is the most permanent option for tooth replacement and can prevent additional bone loss caused by periodontitis and gaps in your mouth.