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At Advanced Dental Health, we are devoted to building beautiful smiles on a foundation of strong oral health. In order to achieve and maintain good oral health, it is important that patients visit our practice at least twice a year for professional cleanings and thorough exams, as recommended by the American Dental Association. It is equally important that they know exactly how to care for their teeth and gums between visits so that they can prevent serious oral health issues from developing.

Patient education is therefore a core component of the Advanced Dental Health experience. Our dental providers discuss such issues as causes of tooth loss during appointments at their Phoenix, AZ cosmetic and restorative dentistry practice so that patients know how best to keep their natural teeth in optimal condition for a lifetime. While modern dentistry offers many exceptional treatments for the replacement of missing teeth, including implant-supported crowns, bridges, and dentures, it is always preferable to maintain a mouth full of healthy, natural teeth in the first place.

We invite you to read about the following causes of tooth loss and then schedule your initial consultation at Advanced Dental Health. Whether you are missing none, one, several, or all of your natural teeth, our experienced dentists can help you achieve the healthiest, most functional and attractive smile possible.

The Top Five Causes of Tooth Loss

There are many possible causes of tooth loss. The five most common causes of tooth loss are:

• Cavities: Cavities are among the most common cause of tooth loss in people of all ages. If caught early, cavities are fairly easy to treat, and in most cases, teeth affected by cavities can be salvaged. If left untreated, however, cavities can lead to the death of a tooth and its subsequent loss.
• Root canal infections: Your teeth are nourished by a substance called dental pulp, which resides in chambers called root canals. Each of your teeth has between one and four of these canals, which are sealed tight to keep the dental pulp guarded from bacteria and other harmful elements. When a root canal is breached, the dental pulp can become infected or inflamed, leading to intense pain. If the dental pulp is not surgically removed from the root canal and the canal subsequently disinfected and sealed off, the tooth will eventually die and fall out or have to be extracted.
• Gum disease: Especially in the latter of its two stages, periodontitis, gum disease can erode the soft and hard tissues that support the teeth, causing them to become loose and eventually to fall out.
• Injury: Unfortunately, even those with perfect oral health are vulnerable to injury. The good news is that when teeth do get knocked out because of injury, they can be replaced with implant-supported restorations that fully return form, function, and aesthetic appeal.
• Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis can cause tooth loss by robbing the jaw bone that supports the teeth of bone density.

Learn More about the Possible Causes of Tooth Loss

To learn more about possible causes of tooth loss and how they can be avoided, please contact Advanced Dental Health today.