Tooth Loss

Tooth loss can occur for various reasons. As children grow and develop, they will naturally lose their baby teeth. As the jawbone grows and becomes bigger, there is more room for their adult teeth to develop correctly. Adults, too, can lose teeth from accidents, injuries, and poor oral hygiene. At URBN Dental in Houston and Katy, we have several options to replace missing teeth to help you achieve a gorgeous smile.

How Common Is Tooth Loss?

According to the CDC, 20 to 34-year-olds generally have 27 teeth. As we age, tooth loss can start to occur. By the time someone is 50 to 64 years old, they will have lost four teeth. Tooth loss between the ages of 65 and 74 generally results in losing another two or three teeth.

By the time most adults reach 75 or older, they have between 19 and 20 teeth left. Additionally, in a research study between 2011 and 2016, the NIH reported that around 2.2% of 20 to 64-year-olds had no remaining teeth, while those who did had an average of only 25.5 teeth.

Common Causes Of Tooth Loss

Being aware of the common causes of tooth loss in children and adults can help you take preventative steps to reduce the risk of losing teeth.

In Children

Children are generally at risk of tooth loss from poor oral hygiene habits. They do not care for their teeth as well as adults because they have challenges reaching behind their teeth and brushing their molars. They usually do not floss because they find the task too difficult to do on their own. The common causes of tooth loss in children include:

Tooth decay and cavities
Physical injuries
Periodontal (gum) disease
Genetic disorders
Certain congenital health conditions
Bruxism (teeth grinding)

In Adults

Tooth loss in adults can occur for the same reasons as in children but also include others, such as:

Smoking
Vaping
Using chewing tobacco
Excessive alcohol use
Drug use disorders

Risk Factors For Adult Tooth Loss

Several risk factors can contribute to adult tooth loss, including:

Certain medications
Improperly managed diabetes
Autoimmune diseases
Untreated periodontal disease
Hormonal changes
Constant dry mouth
Continued poor oral hygiene

Warning Signs Tooth Loss Is Possible

Losing a tooth is a natural part of growth and development for children. However, once their adult teeth start developing, it is vital for parents to pay attention to potential warning signs of tooth loss. Adults should also be aware of these signs and see their dentist as soon as possible if they experience any of these:

Swollen, sore gums
Toothaches
Abscessed tooth
Loose teeth
Bleeding gums
Receding gums that expose more of the tooth’s base
Chronic bad breath
Chronic dry mouth

Complications Of Tooth Loss

There can be some complications from tooth loss that can worsen as we get older and lead to further complications, including:

Receding gum tissue: The gum tissue where the tooth is missing starts to recede. This can cause gum recession to occur at surrounding healthy teeth and lead to periodontal disease and further tooth loss.
Jawbone density loss: In locations where the teeth are missing, the jawbone can start to shrink and lose bone density. This can increase the risk of jawbone fractures and breaks. It also increases the risk of periodontal disease.
Shifting teeth: Teeth can shift and move into the space left by missing teeth.
Further tooth loss: If you have missing teeth on the lower jaw, your upper teeth can gradually shift downward and fall out because there is no lower tooth to keep it in place.
Facial changes: The look and appearance of your facial features will change the more teeth you lose.
Emotional impacts: People can lose self-confidence and self-esteem and become embarrassed by how their smile looks when they are missing teeth. They may also withdraw from social situations and refuse to have their picture taken.
Speech changes: With tooth loss, it can become more challenging to pronounce certain words, altering how one speaks.
Increased risk of TMJ disorders: When people have to change how they eat and bite, it can lead to the development of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders. Common symptoms of TMJ can include jaw stiffness, popping, soreness, and pain.
Poor dietary habits: As chewing and eating become more difficult, people can alter their diets, resulting in nutritional and vitamin deficiencies. This can lead to a weakened immune system and increased risks of other chronic conditions.

Treating Tooth Loss

Fortunately, there are several viable ways to prevent and treat tooth loss in children and adults. Ideally, people should strive never to lose a single tooth unless it is necessary to remove a tooth, like impacted wisdom teeth.

Prevention

Prevention involves taking care of your teeth and overall oral health. For children, this often requires the assistance of an adult until they can better manage their oral hygiene themselves. Proper prevention includes:

Brushing teeth twice daily
Flossing once daily
Bi-annual dental exams and cleanings
Annual digital X-rays
Address dental issues and dental emergencies immediately
Seek periodontal care and treatment if you develop periodontal disease
Replacing missing adult teeth as soon as possible

Dental Implants

Dental implants have become one of the best options for replacing missing teeth. Implants can be used to replace single teeth or multiple teeth. There are even implant bridges and dentures available as alternatives to traditional ones.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are used to fill in multiple adjacent teeth when there are natural teeth still available to support the dental bridge. Traditional bridges are attached to the natural teeth after being altered and enamel removed. If you don’t want to alter your healthy teeth, an implant dental bridge would be a better solution.

Dentures

Partial and full dentures fill in larger sections where tooth loss has occurred. While traditional dentures restore teeth, some people find it hard to chew and eat certain foods. Others can have problems with chronic bad breath. Additionally, gum shrinkage and jawbone density loss can still occur with traditional dentures. To avoid these issues, more people are turning to implant dentures.

When To See Your Dentist With Concerns About Tooth Loss

You should see your dentist if you notice any of the warning signs of tooth loss or have other concerns about your oral health and hygiene habits. At URBN Dental, our dentists and dental hygienists will help address your concerns, answer your questions, and provide education on achieving and maintaining proper oral health.

Trust Urbn Dental, Houston’s Premier Dental Care Clinic For Treating Tooth Loss

If you have lost a tooth or several teeth, you can trust URBN Dental and our Houston dentists to create a customized care and treatment plan to restore your smile’s appearance. We are a full-service dental office and provide general, preventative, restorative, and emergency density services. We also offer complete smile makeovers with our cosmetic dentistry services, like teeth whitening and porcelain veneers.

Many types of tooth loss treatments are covered under dental insurance, which will lower your out-of-pocket costs. Our Katy and Houston dental offices accept most major PPO plans, and we are a preferred Delta Dental provider. Take the steps to restore your beautiful smile by contacting us to schedule a dental appointment today.

FAQ

Do I Need To Treat Tooth Loss?

You should always attempt to treat tooth loss when it occurs. Delaying treatment can lead to other dental problems, such as jawbone density loss, shrinking gums, periodontal disease, and changes to your facial features.

What Type Of Tooth Replacement Is Right For Me?

Deciding what type of tooth replacement you want depends on whether you have dental insurance, your budget, and what will best improve your oral health. URBN Dental offers easy financing and low monthly payments, so getting the tooth replacement you want is affordable and obtainable.

How Long Will Tooth Loss Treatment Take?

Tooth loss treatment will vary depending on which replacement option you choose. For example, dental implants can take between four and six months. Traditional dental bridges and dentures generally take about a few weeks.

It also depends on if you need any other treatments, like bone grafting or gum tissue grafting. The care and treatment plan we customize for you will let you know how long your tooth loss treatment is anticipated to take.

Sources:

Periodontal Disease & How You Can Prevent It. (2024).

Tooth Loss in Adults (Age 20 to 64). (2022).
2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report: Selected Findings. (2024).

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