Going toothless isn't exactly aesthetically pleasing. Those with gaps and open spaces
may not smile for fear of showing off their lack of pearly whites. This can hurt
one's self-esteem, impact their social life and even lead to depression.
There are many reasons a person might be missing teeth.
- Poor oral hygiene: If you don’t brush and floss daily, cavities and gum disease
can occur, making tooth loss more likely to happen in the future. Dentists recommend
to brush your teeth at least twice a day and to floss at least once a day. It is
also advisable to visit your dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning.
- Poor habits: Tooth grinding (bruxism) uses up your teeth over the years and
make them shorter. People who grind strongly can also fracture their teeth. Smoking
or chewing tobacco can aggravate gum disease that leads to tooth loss.
- Contact sports: Some kids, teenagers or young adults play contact sports
regularly. These include football, hockey, basketball, martial arts and so on. Wearing
a mouth guard is very important to prevent trauma that can fracture of injure a
tooth.
- Poor nutrition: Foods that contain a lot of sugar, carbohydrates and acids
can damage your teeth and gums. Such diets initiate tooth decay.
- Fear: Some people are afraid of dentist and never consult one, even if they
have a tooth ache. Not consulting for a problem in your mouth can worsen the condition
over time and eventually lead to tooth loss.
- Finances: Many people assume that dental treatments are too expensive. Sometimes
they are, but other times there are alternative treatments that are less costly.
Put also in mind that prevention costs less than treatment.
Underlying systemic diseases are also one of the prime reasons for tooth loss.
