What causes bone loss in teeth? | Sani Dental Group

Jaw bone loss and its consequences are not something we think about often. We may believe that this can only happen when we get much older, but there are other causes of bone loss that are not exactly related to the process of aging.

Here we’ll delve a bit deeper into what cause bone loss in teeth, so keep on reading to learn more about the different factors that contribute to this big issue and the effects on dental and overall health.

Common Causes of Bone Loss in Teeth

Periodontitis

According to the Cleveland Clinic, periodontitis is a severe form of gum disease. It happens when bacteria infect the soft tissues around your teeth causing them to inflame.

When untreated, it can lead to tooth loss and eventually dental bone loss.

This issue is not common in people under 30, but as you age, the possibility of getting it increases.

Even though age is also a factor in the risk of getting periodontitis, the main reason for this issue is poor oral hygiene. When teeth are not properly taken care of, bacteria can cling to plaque and tartar on the surface of your teeth. These bacteria can then travel beneath the gum line, where your toothbrush and floss can’t reach.

Bacteria can erode the supportive tissues of your teeth, leading to infection. This causes bone loss in teeth and eventual tooth loss.

Other risk factors for periodontal disease include:

• Smoking.

• Diabetes.

• Genetics.

• Hormonal changes.

• Health conditions that cause inflammation.

• 

If you think you might have periodontal disease, some symptoms to watch out for are:

• Reddish or purplish gums.

• Swollen Gums.

• Bleeding Gums.

• Bad breath.

• Pus around the gum line.

• Gum Recession.

• Pain when chewing.

Having Missing Teeth

Although losing teeth is an issue commonly related to older people, it can affect anyone in any age group.

The forces created by biting and chewing are transmitted from the tooth root to the surrounding bone, stimulating it. When a tooth is missing, this stimulation is lost, and bone cells are not renewed, causing bone resorption.

Bone loss after tooth extraction is inevitable and can change how your face looks as your lips and cheeks collapse inward due to having less support for your face muscles.

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Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by low bone mass and density, and deterioration of tissue, resulting in the increased risk of suffering a fracture.

According to studies, people with osteoporosis have an increased risk of tooth loss, due to the lack of enough bone density.

This bone disease is also often associated with older age groups, but it can affect people of any age.

Preventing Bone Loss in Teeth

Maintaining Good Oral Health

The best answer to  how to prevent bone loss in teeth is to maintain good oral hygiene, keep a balanced diet that includes calcium, avoid smoking, and don’t forget about regular dental check-ups.

Although there are factors out of your control, such as genetics, following the mentioned tips can help reduce your risk of bone loss and help maintain strong and healthy teeth.

Replacing Missing Teeth

As previously mentioned, missing teeth are a big reason for bone loss, so it is important to replace the missing tooth to regain functionality, prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting, and prevent bone loss due to the lack of stimulation.

The best procedure for teeth replacement to be part of dental bone loss treatment is dental implants; they act like the natural roots of teeth, providing the necessary stimulation for your jawbone.

If there is still enough jawbone for this procedure, a post made of titanium or zirconia is surgically placed in your jaw where the missing tooth’s roots were. Bone cells will regenerate around the implants through osseointegration, providing stability and preventing bone loss. 

After the implant is healed, the permanent crown is placed over it, resulting in natural-looking results and restored function.

Keeping proper oral hygiene is equally important when having dental implants as it helps prevent peri-implantitis and therefore prevents bone loss around implant. 

Can Bone Loss be Reverted?

Unfortunately, reversing bone loss in teeth naturally is not possible. It can only be stopped and prevented.

When a patient has lost significant bone density, making it impossible to place implants due to insufficient bone support, they can opt for a bone graft.

A bone graft involves making an incision, in the graft site, then a grafting material, either from the patient’s own body, from another natural source, or from a synthetic material, is placed. After placing the grafting material, the surgeon closes the gum tissue.

The healing time of a bone graft can take from three to nine months, sometimes more, this will depend on factors, such as the area the graft was placed and the patient’s healing capacity.

Prevent Bone Loss and Regain Your Smile

If you have a tooth or teeth that need to be replaced, don’t wait! Prevent bone loss by getting the best dental care at Sani Dental Group. Contact us to book your appointment and regain your smile!