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Strategies for preventing oral bone density loss

a full plate of salad and a glass of water

Bone density loss, caused by the body breaking down and reabsorbing bone tissue, can lead to the loosening or loss of teeth. What causes oral bone density loss and how can you prevent it?

Healthy oral health routines

Consistent brushing and flossing are your greatest weapons against bone loss. Keeping your mouth healthy and clean prevents bacterial growth, tooth decay and gum disease.

Eat a diet rich in vegetables and nutrients

Strengthening your teeth and bones from the inside is important. Keeping a nutrient-rich diet plays a significant role in maintaining bone density and healthy teeth.

Replace missing teeth immediately

Whether your tooth loss is due to decay or an accident, the best long-term strategy for preventing bone loss at the site of the gap is dental implant treatment. A dental implant acts as a replacement root for your missing tooth, which in turn returns stability to your jaw. Once a dental implant has healed and fused to your bone, a replacement crown can be attached to restore your smile and more importantly, restore your ability to produce new bone tissue. When you chew food using your new tooth, pressure travels down the dental implant to your bone to signal the need for new tissue growth.

Preparing your jaw with a bone graft

Depending on how long a patient has been missing teeth and the extent to which bone loss has already occurred, a bone graft may be required before dental implant treatment. Your doctor will use x-rays and other imaging equipment to determine whether a bone graft is necessary.

Act against bone loss

If you are currently missing one or more teeth and are concerned about the risk of bone loss, speak with an oral surgeon to find out if you are a candidate for dental implant treatment.

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