Until you lose a tooth or have to have one extracted, you might not realize that your risks of tooth loss were so dire. In fact, the most common reasons for tooth loss (conditions like gum disease and tooth decay) can progress pretty far before losing a tooth becomes imminent. At our Conroe, TX, dental office, we can help you keep track of your oral health and any tooth loss risks you may have. We can also help you better understand those risks to determine if you’re bound to lose a tooth, or if you still have a chance to save it.

You’ve been toughing out your toothache

A toothache almost always indicates trouble with your tooth. Whether it’s damage to its structure or the presence of tooth decay, the problem will only grow worse the longer you try to tough it out. Depending on its cause, you may end up losing the tooth or having to have it extracted if you wait to address the issue. Even if your tooth seems only slightly sensitive, you should schedule a dental exam as soon as possible to determine its root cause.

You’ve been ignoring your gum disease

Gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss, and a large part of the reason why is that its severity isn’t always obvious at first. Patients with gum disease may notice redness and discoloration in their gums, but still believe they have plenty of time to save their smiles. The truth, though, is that gum disease systematically erodes the periodontal tissues and ligaments, and the jawbone structure, that support your teeth. By the time you seek treatment for it, enough damage may have been caused that one or more teeth may need to be extracted before we can restore your smile.

You haven’t replaced a previously lost tooth

If you’ve already lost a tooth, then the effects of that loss can almost guarantee that you’ll lose more if you don’t replace it promptly. Losing a tooth root reduces the stimulation in your jawbone, causing it to grow smaller and weaker over time. This leaves your jaw unable to support all of your teeth properly, and eventually, more will fall out as it continues to degrade. The best way to prevent this is to replace the lost tooth with a dental implant, which reestablishes vital stimulation in your jawbone every time you bite and chew.

Find out how to avoid losing teeth

You can’t tell the future, but there are several things that can warn you you’re about to lose a tooth if you don’t seek treatment as soon as possible. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling the Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX, today at (936) 441-4600. We also proudly serve patients who live in Houston, The Woodlands, Willis, Montgomery, Magnolia, Huntsville, and all surrounding communities.