Overall, the rate of tooth loss in America has gradually declined since the 1940s. Your teeth are essential to quality of life: eating, speaking, and maintaining the integrity of your facial features. You only get one set of permanent teeth. Your teeth are designed to last a lifetime, and since you don’t grow replacements, anything less than 100% tooth retention (not including wisdom teeth, which are largely unnecessary) should be unacceptable. Luckily, tooth loss is preventable, but should you lose one or more teeth, Park Ridge implant dentists, Dr. Maria or Dr. Thanasi Loukas can effectively replace your tooth’s entire structure to restore its function
Protect to Prevent
By definition, an accident is unforeseeable, or at least unavoidable, until you analyze the situation afterwards. Hindsight, as they say, is 20/20. If you lose a tooth because of an accidental impact, then prevention may not have been possible. If you’re engaged in a contact or extreme sport, however, then wearing an athletic mouthguard can help protect your teeth from injuries including complete detachment.
Avoiding Infection
The most common cause of tooth loss is dental disease; specifically, periodontitis (severe gum disease). As a progressive infection, unchecked gum disease destroys the gums and jawbone that support your teeth. Good oral hygiene is the best method of preventing gum disease, but if you’re among the 80% of adults in America who are affected by the condition, then prevention is no longer an option. If your gums are diseased, professional periodontal treatment can help you control the infection before it costs you one or more teeth.
Visit your Park Ridge Dentists to Prevent Tooth Loss
Even if you happen to lose one or more teeth, you can prevent tooth loss from destroying your smile by replacing them with dental implants. As a prosthetic tooth root, a dental implant is inserted into your jawbone and used to anchor your replacement teeth, restoring the vital functions that your lost tooth roots can no longer provide. To learn more, or to replace your lost teeth, speak with Dr. Maria or Dr. Thanasi Loukas as soon as possible. You can schedule an appointment with your Park Ridge dentists by calling Loukas General Dentistry at (847) 696-1919. Located in the 60068 area, we proudly serve patients from Park Ridge and the surrounding Chicago communities.