How do You Fix Dental Bone Loss in Teeth
Dental bone loss is an all-too common problem, particularly in aging members of our population. This is in part because of the prevalence of gum disease, which is one of the primary causes of dental bone loss. While gum disease sounds like a malady that affects the gums – and does – it also has a marked negative impact on dental bone health. Over time, as gum health declines, so too does the availability of health bone tissue. When teeth are lost due to gum disease, the shrinking of dental bone mass only continues to increase, as the stimulation that teeth and their roots provide to the jawbone are now absent.
Although preventing dental bone loss is preferable to treating it once it has started, there are things you can do to address this form of bone loss. The following article will outline the top three things you can do starting today to both prevent and address declining dental bone health.
1. Preventing and Treating Gum Disease
The most meaningful thing you can do to preserve dental bone health is to protect the bone mass you have; this means also protecting your gums from gum disease. Luckily, working to prevent gum disease is as simple as maintaining good oral hygiene practices – including brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day – and keeping up with biannual dental visits. These simple steps will keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy, as gum disease is caused by built-up plaque and tartar on the teeth that slowly infect the gums.
Should you or your dentist notice any signs or symptoms of gum disease, it is important to treat it right away. The first stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, is easily reversed by a thorough cleaning of the teeth. In some cases, a more extensive deep cleaning may be required, but once this is performed by your dental hygienist, gum disease is usually kept at bay.
2. Replacing Missing Teeth
If teeth go missing due to injury, disease, or some other cause, it is important to replace them. Many consider replacing teeth as a primarily cosmetic concern, but in fact it is the stimulation provided to the jawbone by the action of biting and chewing that keeps dental bone healthy and viable. The best method of tooth replacement for continued bone health is having dental implants installed. Not only are they strong, attractive, and durable, this tiny but mighty dental prosthetic also showcases prosthetic roots that extend down into the jaw itself, stimulating the bone just as a natural tooth would.
3. Maintaining a Healthy Diet and Lifestyle
As the saying goes, “You are what you eat,” and bone health is no exception to this rule. By avoiding damaging substances such as alcohol and tobacco and focusing on nutrient-rich, nourishing foods as your primary diet, you can make a major contribution to ongoing bone health. Particularly as you age, try to increase your intake of vitamin-rich foods such as fish, leafy greens, a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, and dairy products. Not only will you feel better eating a nutrient-dense diet, you’ll have stronger teeth and bones, too!