As we grow older, certain aspects of our bodies change. And one unfortunate thing that happens when aging is bone loss. Now, bone loss is often observed in conditions such as osteoporosis, which affects the spine. However, bone loss can also be experienced in the jaw, which, in turn, affects the teeth.
What Is Jawbone Loss?
People aren’t often aware of this, but the human body is constantly rebuilding itself. In bones, this can be seen through resorption and ossification. Resorption is essentially the process in which older bone is removed. But this is then replaced by new bone, which is put into place through ossification.
The problem is that, as a person ages, these two processes no longer stay in balance. This means bone loss happens quicker while bone growth is slowed down.
When this happens to the jawbone, it can affect several aspects of your oral health, as the jawbone often acts as the foundation of your teeth. While you may notice changes in your facial features when you have jawbone loss, the only sure way to know is through x-rays.
While jawbone loss often happens because of aging, there are also other factors that can accelerate bone loss in your jaw. In particular, tooth loss and gum disease are said to contribute to jawbone loss.
How to Prevent Jawbone Loss?
Since jawbone loss can be attributed to tooth loss and gum disease, the best way to prevent jawbone loss is through good dental hygiene. This means brushing your teeth at least twice a day to keep harmful bacteria away from your mouth. The bacteria in your mouth can often eat away at your bones and also stimulate gum tissue. This, in turn, increases your risk of jawbone loss.
It can also be helpful to make certain lifestyle changes. To increase bone health, it’s best to eat healthy and nutritious food containing calcium, protein, vitamin D, and other nutrients your bones need. It’s also best to avoid smoking and tobacco use as these can be detrimental to your bone health.
How to Recover From Jawbone Loss?
If you are already experiencing jawbone loss, there are still ways to recover from it. The action you need to take often depends on the cause of the bone loss. So, it’s best to see a dentist to properly diagnose the problem.
But in general, treatments such as prescription medication and bone grafts can help restore your teeth’ foundation. However, the solution does not stop at adding more bone to the area. You also need to stimulate and maintain it. That’s why dental implants are often recommended for jawbone loss, as they can help stimulate the new bone in your jaw.
Final Thoughts
The jaw acts as the foundation for your teeth. And so, jawbone loss can leave your teeth with a weaker foundation, leading to certain oral problems. That’s why it’s important to practice good dental hygiene to protect your teeth and jaw. And if you are already experiencing jawbone loss, you can still recover from it with treatments such as bone graft, dental implants, and prescription medication.
If you suspect you have jawbone loss, you can head to Dr. Thomas E. Cooke Family Dentistry to find the right solution for your problem. We are an emergency dentist in Raleigh, NC that provides a full range of patient-oriented dental services to help patients improve their oral health. Schedule an appointment now!
