The United States extracts 20 million teeth each year. The consequences of tooth loss may have devastating effects on overall health and self-esteem, but less than 10% of patients seek information before losing their teeth. Due to fear, lack of knowledge or financial status, many people wait until the onset of pain before seeking a solution. By then, it is often too late.
Many people think that tooth loss is the inevitable result of age. However, most of the factors that cause tooth loss can be controlled earlier in life. Poor oral hygiene habits, such as not brushing your teeth and flossing daily, can lead to recession and gum disease, eventually leading to tooth loss. Eating high sugars, foods and beverages high in carbohydrates and acids can cause irreversible damage to teeth and gums. Bad habits such as smoking and chewing may also be the culprit. In general, many people simply do not know how the process of missing teeth begins, and the traumatic consequences it may have on a person's overall health and well-being.
