What Causes Bone Loss
Dental bone loss is a widely experienced and yet fairly misunderstood ailment that largely affects aging populations. Many believe that losing bone mass in the jaw and elsewhere is an unavoidable part of the aging process, and that it is simply a part of the natural progression of things. While this is in some way true – bone mass does begin to decline after the age of 30, and some dental bone loss is likely unavoidable – the underlying conditions and problems that contribute to more rapid forms of bone loss are in fact treatable, at least up to a point.
The following article will outline some of the primary causes of dental bone loss and what can be done to intervene and stop its continuation.
The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth with Dental Implants
As we get older, teeth can be lost due to disease, injury, or underlying health issues. In and of itself, this is not necessarily a threat to the health of one’s jawbone, but if the teeth are not replaced, it can indeed lead to bone loss. This is because the connection between the teeth and the alveolar bone that supports them is incredibly symbiotic. The teeth need the support that this bone provides, and the bone needs the signal from the teeth that they are needed to continue to maintain itself.
This signal is passed between the teeth down to the bone by the simple act of biting and chewing; much like bone mass in the body is preserved by weight-bearing exercise that continues to stimulate and strengthen the bone, the integrity of the jawbone is maintained by the repeated pressure that teeth channel into it during the process of eating. Absent that repeated pressure, the jawbone stops getting the signal that support is needed and begins to lose mass.
For this reason, it is very important to replace teeth when they are lost with dental implants, which contain prosthetic roots as well as implant crowns. By replacing the whole tooth, bone mass can be preserved.
Stop Gum Disease in its Tracks to Prevent Dental Bone Loss
As it progresses, gum disease can also eat away at bone mass in the jaw. This can result in loose or missing teeth, reduced dental bone mass, and even changes in facial appearance, as the receding of the alveolar bone creates a sunken in appearance around the mouth. However, this need not be your fate if you experience gum disease; these are simply the results of the progression of gum disease. Caught in the earliest stage, called gingivitis, gum disease can actually be reversed by a thorough cleaning by one’s dental hygienist. In fact, the cleaning that your hygienist provides at your biannual dentist’s visit is typically the most important part of that appointment; by removing the plaque and tartar that lead to gum disease in the first place, she or he can keep gum disease at bay and preserve your bone health at the same time.