4 Common Myths About Adult Tooth Loss, Debunked

A healthy adult mouth has 32 permanent teeth. Unfortunately, tooth loss is very common: In the United States, the average middle-aged adult has about 25 remaining teeth, and the average older adult has 21. About 1 in 6 seniors has lost all of their teeth.  

Why do so many adults wind up with at least one gap in their smile? Is it because they don’t brush properly, forget to floss, or have untreated cavities? Is it a result of rarely (or never) going to the dentist? Or is it simply an expected part of aging?

As oral health experts who offer a full scope of preventive dental care services, our skilled team at Burbank Dental Studio is dedicated to helping you maintain a healthy smile for life.

Here, Dr. Annie Aboulian quashes four myths about adult tooth loss — and sets the record straight on how you can preserve oral health and keep all of your teeth as the years go by. 

Misconceptions about adult tooth loss

In many ways, adult tooth loss is a stigmatized oral health problem. Often, those who haven’t lost a tooth don’t think it could ever happen to them, and it’s frequently regarded as a concern of old age, poor oral hygiene, poverty, or a lack of education. 

While these factors can contribute to adult tooth loss, the bigger picture is more nuanced. Separating fact from fiction is the first step in knowing how to preserve your own smile. 

Myth 1: Tooth loss is a normal part of aging

Fact: It’s true that tooth loss is increasingly common with age, but gaps in your smile are not an inevitable part of getting older. With good oral hygiene practices, healthy lifestyle habits, and regular dental visits, tooth loss is largely preventable at any age. 

Myth 2: Decay causes most tooth loss

Fact: Untreated cavities are a major driver of tooth loss, but another common oral health issue — gum disease — is the top cause of missing teeth. Even in the absence of deep dental decay, gum disease sets the stage for easy tooth loss by progressively damaging the bone structures that surround and support your teeth and their roots. 

Myth 3: Injury is a top cause of tooth loss 

Fact: Although physical injuries and oral trauma can (and do) result in lost teeth, dental emergencies aren’t the main cause of adult tooth loss. In fact, dental injuries aren’t even a leading cause of adult tooth loss. Most permanent teeth are lost to: 

• Untreated dental decay
• Advanced gum disease
• Key contributing factors

While poor oral hygiene habits and a sugar-rich diet are the “key contributing factors” of adult tooth loss that may come to mind first, many other factors can affect your oral health and make tooth loss more likely — including smoking, chronic stress, pregnancy, and diabetes.

Myth 4: Tooth loss is just a cosmetic issue

Fact: Missing teeth affect more than just your appearance; when you have a gap in your smile, remaining neighboring teeth can drift into the empty space and misalign your bite. And because tooth roots stimulate the jawbone remodeling process, losing just one tooth can lead to significant jawbone loss.

If you do lose a tooth, replacing it with the right dental restoration is the best way to maintain bite function, prevent further tooth loss, and protect your long-term oral health. 

Take these steps to protect your smile 

Adult tooth loss may be common, but it doesn’t have to be. Just as we know its primary causes, we also know how to prevent it. You can substantially reduce your risk of losing your permanent teeth by following these basic guidelines:

Practice good oral hygiene habits

Brush your teeth thoroughly with fluoridated toothpaste at least twice daily: once in the morning and once again before bedtime. Floss at least once daily to remove food particles and residue between your teeth.  

See your dentist twice a year

Twice-yearly dental cleanings and exams help you stay on top of your oral health. We can spot and address decay in its early, most treatable stage, and clear away plaque so it won’t solidify into tartar, cause cavities, or lead to gum disease. In fact, a professional cleaning is the only way to remove disease-promoting tartar. 

From gum-saving periodontal therapy to enamel-protecting fluoride treatments and sealants, we know exactly what you need to do to keep your mouth as healthy as possible.     

Change unhealthy lifestyle habits 

Limiting your intake of sugary foods and quitting smoking are top lifestyle changes that can go a long way toward protecting your oral health and preserving your natural teeth. 

Manage chronic health conditions 

Controlling chronic disease — especially diabetes — protects your oral health, too. It’s also important to schedule regular dental checkups during pregnancy, when hormonal changes can cause gum disease or make it worse.

Are you ready to take charge of your oral health? Call Burbank Dental Studio in Burbank, California, today, or click online to request an appointment at your convenience.