When you are a young child there is great excitement over losing teeth. I remember when my little red-haired son, Sam, lost his first tooth. He was so proud! He showed that gap with glee to everyone he saw. It’s my mission to make sure that now that he’s grown, all his teeth stay in his head.
Your age can affect your oral health, and so, your teeth. We think in terms of elderly people being at risk for tooth loss, but research shows that over a quarter of adults lose their first permanent tooth between the ages of 21 and 30!
Children lose adult teeth primarily through sugar diets and decay, trauma caused in playing or sports injuries that occur when they don’t wear a mouth guard.
Teeth Issues for Adults
As adults, we have to pay special attention to brushing, flossing, regular checkups, and professional cleanings, because poor oral hygiene is the main cause of periodontal or gum disease. If periodontal disease is not treated, tooth loss is an inevitable result. Gum disease also affects your general health and is tied to heart disease and stroke, respiratory disease and cancer.
Our seniors are the most affected by tooth loss for several reasons. A lifetime of poor or inadequate oral hygiene takes its toll. As people age, they face more disease and a decreased immune system that affects the body and especially the mouth. They too must pay special attention to brushing, flossing, regular checkups, and professional cleanings. Bacteria found in periodontal disease can lead to life threatening respiratory disease such as pneumonia.
I love this quote from Georgia’s own Godfather of Soul, James Brown about aging: “Hair is the first thing. And teeth the second. Hair and teeth. A man got those two things he’s got it all.” We can’t help with your hair loss, but at AtlantaPeriodontics.com, we will do all that we can with our state of the art dentistry to ensure that you will have your teeth!
If you are in need of periodontical care or dental implant services, please call my Atlanta office today to schedule a free consultation, 404-255-9511.
Email me, atlperio@gmail.com, with your questions or concerns about dental health for children and adults.
