One of the most important parts of your face, your jaw lets you speak and chew properly. However, all this changes if you experience bone loss. Should this happen and it is left untreated, it will impact not only your oral health, but also your overall health. Following are some causes of bone loss in the jaw.
Missing Teeth
If you have missing teeth, this can result in bone loss within your jaw. With no roots present to stimulate the bone, your body will begin to send fewer and fewer nutrients such as calcium to your jaw, ultimately resulting in bone loss. Always get problems with missing teeth resolved with your dentist in Charleston, West Virginia, so you can avoid this issue. Missing teeth can be fixed with dentures, bridges or dental implants.
Gum Disease
When advanced gum disease is present, your odds of experiencing significant bone loss in your jaw are very high. In the advanced stages of gum disease, the bacteria associated with it eats away at supporting bone tissue, causing bone loss in your jaw. You might not notice it at first, because this condition develops slowly, over time. You can avoid this scenario altogether by ensuring that you visit your dentist at least once every six months.
Medical Conditions
In certain individuals, various medical conditions can be a driving factor in jawbone loss and atrophy. Common conditions include osteoporosis, Paget’s disease of bone, osteomyelitis, and cancerous tumors. If you have any of these conditions, work closely with your doctor and dentist to limit the amount of bone loss you may experience. Note that certain prescription medications to treat these conditions may also carry side effects that include bone loss.
Trauma
If you have a jaw fracture, teeth that get knocked out, or other injuries to your jaw, these can lead to decreased bone stimulation and increased tissue deterioration. Also, should you have a history of suffering injuries to your teeth and jaw, this can lead to tissue and bone eventually dying within your jaw. Unfortunately, this can happen many years after you suffered your initial injury.
If you notice pain in your jaw or atrophy beginning to show, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist in Charleston, West Virginia at once to see what treatment options may be available.