According to National data compiled by the CDC, Americans all across the U.S. are riddled with bone loss and periodontal disease. Nearly 50% of Americans are experiencing some form of bone loss with over 30% of the total number experiencing some form of moderate to severe gum loss, bone loss, tooth loss and periodontal disease. Later we will highlight how laser dental treatment can be an important part of bone and gum rehabilitation.
In many cases bone loss is attributed to bad lifestyle habits as well as indirectly attributed to poor health conditions. Unfortunately, diabetes could exacerbate poor oral health as well as other external health conditions, which we won’t all focus on in this article. However, we will make a note of it and will do our best to highlight this in a new article focused on Illnesses that lead to poor oral health.
This article will highlight how bone loss could be exacerbated with poor oral maintenance and negligence. We will focus on what you can do to prevent bone loss, gingivitis and periodontal disease. We will also focus on preventative measures that you can take both by visiting the dental office and by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Negligence and Poor Oral Health Maintenance
One of the worse actions you can take towards neglecting your oral health is in-action. The lack of taking basic action that are adequate preventative measures is by far at the top of the list.
“Why you ask?”
Think about it, this falls more on a phycological nature than anything else. This is where you, as an individual, are so complacent that the easiest task of oral maintenance for your own personal health is no longer a valid reason to take action. It is not enough for you to bother with during your day-to-day task.
For many people around the world, this is actually more common than you’d think. Neglecting one’s own oral health is almost a trend in the United States.
“How can this be changed?“
Some argue that education is the key, others argue that adequate dental insurance and the scarcity of money on such an important medical treatment is another. In realty, no one person’s life is equal to the next, everyone’s reason for negligence could be different then the next. One could be a disability, while the other could be financial reasons and yet the next could be plain ole’ negligence itself, not caring or having a worry in the world until it’s too late.
Measures to Prevent Bone Loss
There are many actions that you can take throughout life that will help reduce the instances of poor oral health. As well as more severe cases such as gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth loss and bone loss.
Yes, you heard that right, I said “throughout life!”, good oral health is a lifestyle, not a get rich quick scheme. You can implement a few of the following into your lifestyle.
- Brush your teeth 3 times per day after a meal
- Visit your dentist for a checkup at least every 6 months
- Get a teeth cleaning from your hygienist ever 4 months if you’re not a smoke, or every 3 months if you smoke tobacco or cannabis.
- Eat healthy, research studies have proven that healthy eating helps prevent periodontal disease on those who exercise healthy eating habits.
- Work out reasonably, research studies have also shown that people who work out reasonably will reduce the prevalence of periodontal disease or even gingivitis.
In many cases, bone loss will happen if a severe case of periodontal disease has progressed, or if a tooth extraction has been undertaken without the use of bone grafting. On the first example, it takes years to get to a point where you have such severe gingivitis and gum disease, that both the gums and the bones begin to recede. While just a bit over 8% of Americans experience this in 2019, it is still a larger number than we’d like to admit. Much more education is need on this subject matter.
Treatments Options Now Available
There are both traditional methods of treatments for periodontal disease and bone loss. As well as new methods that employ more technologically advanced dental tools and equipment. One simple advance tool available for the treatment of periodontal disease and potentially bone loss is laser dentistry.
Laser Dentistry:
This treatment method is more suitable for dental patients that have yet to experience severe bone loss or even irreparable gum damage. Laser dental treatment allows your dentist to stimulate the gums during the treatment process. Lasers are good for many other dental procedures such as laser assisted endodontics.
Bone Grafting:
Bone grafting is another very unique set of tools that a dentist uses in order to fill the cavity of an extracted tooth with bone. This is exceptional at preventing pain associated with dry socket after a tooth extraction. What dentist tend to call “bone”, is merely a semi-soft substance that’s moldable like a putty. This allows your dentist to fill in the cavity left behind by the extracted tooth. Dentist also place a layer of what is called the membrane, which is then followed by a protective layer.
The bone grafting process take 7 to 10 days to heal properly post tooth extraction. You should be sure to avoid all hot foods and beverages as this period is essential in preparations for a dental implant.
Dental Implant:
A dental implant is the top choice for a tooth replacement option. However, it also happens to be the top priced procedure that could be provided by your dentist as far as teeth replacement is concerned. A dental implant is a permanent tooth option that requires a post to be inserted into your jawbone. This area would have been prepped by the bone grafting on a previous dental visit.
If you carry adequate dental insurance for a dental implant procedure, then this process and its associated cost may not be a problem for you. However, for most Americans this could be a costly dental procedure to undertake.
Dental Bridge:
A dental bridge is a great alternative option for tooth loss and bone loss. Even if the bone has worn out beneath the tooth. With a little grafting to fill in the gap and a bridge to provide an alternative tooth to a costly but well worth dental implant, a patient can walk out of the dentist the same day with a bright beautiful smile.
