Tooth Loss Causes
Whether or not you lose your teeth isn’t always up to you.
Let’s get this out of the way right now — refusing to see a dentist and not taking care of your mouth is going to eventually cost you your teeth. It might happen when you are 40, it could happen with you are 80. So take care of your teeth as best you can and see your dentist regularly. That aside, there are actually a surprising number of reasons that people lose their teeth that they have no control over.
In a 2005 study of almost 1800 patients, gum disease (periodontal diseases) accounted for over 57% of teeth extracted by individuals over the age of 35. Periodontal diseases include Gingivitis (a mild form of gum disease where bacteria causes your gums to turn red and bleed) and
Periodontitis, which is an advanced form of gum disease where the the gum starts to pull away from the teeth.
Periodontal diseases can be caused by smoking (one of the most significant risk factors), but it can also be caused by diabetes, stress, medications, sickness, and hormonal changes. Some people are even more susceptible to gum disease because it runs in their family!
In the United States, 46% of individuals over the age of 65 have lost 6 or more of their teeth as a result of tooth decay or gum disease. In Florida this percentage is slightly lower (44%) but in other states it is much higher (70% of all adults 65 or over in West Virginia have lost at least six
of their teeth to tooth decay!).
One fifth of all adults over the age of 65 have lost all of their natural teeth due to tooth decay or gum disease.
Diabetes is a big cause of tooth loss, and individuals with diabetes (especially type 2 diabetes) are at substantial risk for oral infections such as gum disease. Diabetes can cause a loss of bone and connective tissue in the mouth, which results in tooth loss. Tooth loss can to
some degree be prevented through consistent insulin injections.
Cigarette smoking is also associated with tooth loss. A recent study of Japanese young adults found that while about a third of individuals between the age of 20 and 39 lost at least one tooth, those who smoked were much more likely to have lost a tooth (over 40%) compared to
those who never smoked (around 27%). Another recent study published last year found that secondhand smoke could also contribute to tooth loss.
Genetics are also an important causes of tooth loss, particularly in terms of how your genes impact the formation of your roots. When teeth develop, the crown (top part) of the tooth develop firsts, and the root grows out of it. It takes up to 3 years for a root to completely
develop. When the root does not develop “normally” it can cause your teeth to have a less than solid foundation, which eventually lead to tooth loss.
Other causes of tooth loss include oral contraceptives, poor diet, poorly fitted bridges, badly aligned teeth, defective fillings, excessive biting force (such as clenching or grinding), AIDS, steroids, cancer therapy drugs, and some calcium channel blockers can also cause tooth loss.
Ironically, one important cause of tooth loss is tooth loss. If you lose one or some of your teeth your teeth can begin to shift, which can ultimately lead to the loss of other teeth.
There are a number of reasons you are likely to lose at least some of your teeth during your lifetime. What ultimately matters most is that you get them replaced as quickly as possible to avoid other problems.
Additional Background on Tooth Loss Causes
- Researchers Find Nine Risk Indicators for Tooth Loss
- Periodontal Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
- Diabetes Dental Tips (pdf)
- Research Study Connecting Smoking with Tooth Loss
- Study Linking Secondhand Smoke to Tooth Loss