With the frequency of permanent tooth loss among adults today, especially our elders, tooth loss may seem like a natural part of aging. It’s not. Modern dentistry places a considerable focus on replacing teeth that have been lost or rendered useless by damage or disease because a healthy mouth relies on a full set of teeth to continue operating properly. When one or more are lost, your entire oral health is threatened. Luckily, tooth loss is highly preventable with the right care and maintenance. Today, your Park Ridge implant dentists, Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas, help you prevent tooth loss by explaining how to keep your smile clean and well-nourished.
Good Oral Hygiene—Simple, but Important
Many people have heard the advice so many times throughout their lives that the words often don’t consciously register, but brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day, especially before bed time, is the most essential part of keeping your smile clean and disease-free. Most dental health issues, including the leading cause of tooth loss—gum disease, begin with oral bacteria that are allowed to gather in force due to poor oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene helps control these germs and sticky plaque they form as protection, reducing your risk of developing an infection that can cost you one or more teeth.
Feed Your Smile What it Needs
Like the rest of your body, the components of your smile require an adequate supply of nutrition to remain strong and healthy. For instance, the enamel that protects your teeth from bacteria and decay relies on calcium, phosphate, and other minerals that your body doesn’t produce naturally. Your jawbone, the foundation of your smile, also requires calcium to stay strong enough to support your teeth. You can learn more about the nutrients your smile needs by reading our article, A Diet Your Smile Can Appreciate.
Prevent Tooth Loss with Your Park Ridge Implant Dentists
When tooth decay or gum disease develops, saving your smile is a matter of timing and quick action. To track your progress and keep a close eye on your teeth and gums, be sure to visit us at least once every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning, during which Dr. Loukas can ensure your mouth is thoroughly clean and inspect for early signs of disease. To learn more about preventing tooth loss, seek the expertise of your Park Ridge implant dentists today. You can schedule an appointment 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.