Valuable advice from the dentist.
It is a phenomenon that occurs as the years go by. With old age, we lose slightly bone mass and that around our teeth is no exception, promoting their loss. “But age is not a sufficient factor to be solely responsible for tooth loss” nuance from the outset Dr Jeremy Amzalag, dental surgeon and periodontist, whom we contacted. It is therefore possible to delay this fall.
Two pathologies are mainly responsible for tooth loss in adulthood. The first being caries, a bacterial disease responsible for the demineralization of enamel. If a cavity develops and is not treated in time, it can significantly damage the tooth and cause it to fall out. Some people are more at risk because “there is a component at the genetic level, that is to say that we can have a more or less fragile type of enamel” continues the doctor.
The second cause of tooth loss is dental loosening or “periodontitis” according to the medical term. It is an attack on the tissues supporting the teeth, therefore the bone and gum around the tooth, which can appear from the age of 30. “Periodontitis can affect the entire mouth. If left untreated, it leads to tooth loss.” Certain bacteria are also responsible for the weakening of supporting tissues. Finally, diet, tobacco and alcohol, or even diseases such as diabetes, can ultimately lead to tooth loss.
“At the individual level, the patient has a role to play in terms of hygiene” recalls Dr. Amzalag. To slow down the loss of teeth, you must brush them between 2 and 3 times a day and above all, in addition, use brushes and dental floss. This equipment will be able to complete brushing by accessing the interdental spaces which cannot be reached with the toothbrush and removing any food remains harmful to the health of the teeth.
If you experience pain when chewing, bleeding, swollen, irritated or very red gums, you should make an appointment with a dentist. “A person who does not really have any particular problem should still go to the dentist once a year for a check-up.” adds our interlocutor. This clinical check involves scaling and generally an x-ray to observe the quality of the bone around the teeth. Treatment is implemented in the event of periodontal disease. A curettage can be done under the gum to eliminate a maximum bacteria and tartar responsible for these inflammations. “The objective is to delay loss as much as possible and to preserve as many teeth as possible” concludes Dr. Amzalag.
