The problem of seemingly unexplained tooth loss or edentulism is common among people of all ages. In older people, teeth fall out in most cases due to irreversible age-related changes in the body.
But very young people between the ages of 20 and 30 can also face the loss of teeth.
Content
- Edentulism is an ideal "attractor" of complexes
- Loss of milk teeth is almost always normal.
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You can lose your teeth for many reasons ...
- Factors and risk groups
- What can be the consequences
- What to do if you suspect edentulism
- What if the tooth has already fallen out?
- Can a wisdom tooth fall out?
Edentulism is an ideal "attractor" of complexes
Edentulism is a complete or partial loss of teeth. The development of this pathology affects human health, as well as his social life, self-esteem and other aspects of life. Due to disturbances in the dentition, gastrointestinal diseases often develop, since a person cannot thoroughly chew food.
It is worth noting that people suffering from edentulism are embarrassed to smile, appear in public, and be in a team. They develop complexes with regards to their appearance, and their self-esteem is significantly reduced, they become insecure, as a result of which it is more difficult for them to achieve success at work and in their personal lives. This is especially true when a young guy or girl loses teeth.
An important role is played by the opinion of society, which believes that only people from dysfunctional or poor families can be toothless.
In addition, as a result of the loss of a tooth, the jaw can sag and even the facial features can change, so if there is a problem, you should not put it on the back burner, but you must visit a doctor.
Loss of milk teeth is almost always normal.
Children also face edentulism. In most cases, they have baby teeth fall out. This physiological process is practically not has nothing to do with the loss of molars. The main similarity is that the tooth loses its connection with the supporting bone tissue.
In children, edentulism is accompanied by the growth of new permanent teeth, therefore it is not dangerous to health. The only exception can be premature loss of a milk tooth associated with mechanical injury or other factors.
Loss of molars leads to disturbances in the processes of chewing, the work of the temporomandibular joint and other changes in the body.
You can lose your teeth for many reasons ...
There are several reasons due to which teeth most often fall out in an adult. The following factors contribute to the development of edentulism:
- Periodontitis. Inflammation of the gums is one of the most common causes of tooth loss. The first sign of pathology is bleeding gumsthat manifests itself when brushing teeth or eating solid food. Due to the inflammatory process, the soft and bone tissues cannot hold the tooth, which leads to its loss.
- Caries. Severe decay by caries leads to the formation of a cavity inside the tooth. If measures are not taken in time, the tooth will be completely destroyed, and its remains will need to be removed.
- Chronic illnesses. Some diseases, for example, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, thyroid diseases, can create favorable conditions for the development of periodontitis.
- Improper nutrition. Excessive consumption of food acids (citrus fruits and fresh juices) leads to thinning of the tooth enamel. As a result, caries destroys the tooth faster. Eating solid foods (nuts, croutons, etc.) can cause clefts in your teeth.
- Poor hygiene. Insufficient dental care promotes development dental calculus and caries. Plaque also creates good conditions for the multiplication of bacteria, which often become the cause of the inflammatory process.
- Bad habits. Drugs, alcohol and smoking are bad for your teeth. If treatment is not timely, bad habits can lead to their loss.
- Mechanical damage. As a result of injury from competition, training or fighting, young people often lose one or more teeth.
- Malocclusion. It can lead to gum inflammation, poor chewing and other problems.
Factors and risk groups
Most people are at risk of tooth loss if the following factors are present:
- caries;
- inflammation of the gums;
- poor oral hygiene and inadequate dental care;
- eating food that can destroy tooth enamel;
- bad habits.
The problem of edentulism can also be encountered:
- athletes of traumatic sports;
- people who are afraid of dentists;
- people with financial disabilities;
- patients who have undergone chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and so on;
- people with weak immunity or diseases associated with the immune system;
- aged people.
Because of fear, many people lose their teeth, because they do not visit a doctor for prophylaxis and timely treatment. Sometimes people do not go to the doctor due to the fact that the services of dentists are expensive and they simply cannot afford it.
Weak immunity often becomes the reason for the multiplication of bacteria in the oral cavity and the spread of the inflammatory process to soft and bone tissues.
Most elderly people are faced with the problem of edentulism, because with old age the gums decrease, dry mouth syndrome appears, and fillings break. This leads to loose teeth and their subsequent loss.
What can be the consequences
Sometimes people do not pay enough attention to the preservation of the dentition. But edentulism has unpleasant health consequences. Poorly chewed food always provokes the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Disturbances in the work of the stomach and intestines entail disruptions in metabolism and other important processes in the body. The loss of one tooth leads to a displacement of the dentition, and sometimes - to the loss of other teeth.
Due to the absence of one or more teeth, a person begins to chew food on one side, which leads to changes in the jaw. Sometimes it sags, which leads to a change in the shape of the face.
Loss of teeth can cause the development of psychological (a person considers himself unattractive or ugly) and social problems (it is difficult for him to be around people). Because of the complexes, a person closes in himself, goes into depression, and so on.
What to do if you suspect edentulism
The first signs that can alert you to an impending problem may be:
- bleeding gums;
- unpleasant putrid odor from the mouth;
- redness of the gums;
- painful sensations of soft tissues;
- tooth pain.
If you have at least one of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor. If periodontitis start treating on time and follow all the doctor's recommendations, the teeth will be saved.
If the tooth begins to loosen by itself or after an injury, go to the hospital immediately. Using a special mouth guard, as well as a number of medical procedures will help you preserve your dentition.
To reduce the risk of tooth loss, you need to:
- monitor oral hygiene;
- timely treat caries and other diseases of the teeth and gums;
- visit the dentist twice a year for prevention;
- choose the right dental brush and pasta;
- refrain from excessively solid foods that can damage teeth;
- monitor nutrition;
- strengthen immunity;
- to refuse from bad habits.
What if the tooth has already fallen out?
If it was not possible to avoid the problem, and the tooth fell out, you need to seek help from a dentist-prosthetist. It will help bring back a beautiful smile. This is especially true when a person has partial edentulism.
Depending on the characteristics of the problem and the number of missing teeth, there are several ways to restore the dentition:
- Dentures. If you have healthy teeth, an orthopedist or prosthetist will make prostheses - removable or fixed structures, what replace the space of a lost tooth. Modern prostheses are characterized by ease of use, long service life and high aesthetics.
- Dental implants. Artificial roots of teeth that are surgically implanted into the jawbone. They require more time and money. They are used only in case of single loss and in the presence of adjacent healthy teeth.
- Dental bridge called an artificial tooth, which is attached with crowns to healthy adjacent teeth. Designed to fill the space of a lost tooth. When installing a dental bridge, the natural teeth on which it will be attached are grinded.
Can a wisdom tooth fall out?
The main feature of third molars is that they have three roots. Moreover, in most cases, they do not grow properly. In this regard, the loss wisdom teeth is extremely rare.
But this does not mean at all that edentalism does not concern the G8s. Often wisdom teeth are removed by surgeons. The indications for the operation are:
- caries;
- inflammation of the "hood" of the gums;
- gum disease;
- incorrect position of the tooth;
- pulpitis and other diseases.
Front removal of a wisdom tooth the doctor must take an x-ray to see the location of the roots.
Edentulism is a serious problem not only for the elderly, but also for young people. When the first symptoms appear, which indicate the likelihood of an increased risk of tooth loss, you need to contact your dentist for treatment. Simple preventive measures will help preserve the integrity of the dentition.
The site is for informational purposes only. Do not under any circumstances self-medicate. If you find you have any symptoms of illness, contact your doctor.