General Dentistry Facts: How Long Should My Teeth Last?

You count on an office of general dentistry to take care of your teeth, but how long should those teeth last? People often wonder if their teeth will last forever, or if they will require dentures or implants at some point in their lives. Get the details and care for your teeth, so they last as long as possible.

Permanent teeth are meant to be permanent

People often think tooth loss is normal as they age, but that is not the case. Permanent teeth are made to last, meaning people can keep their natural teeth their entire lives, even if they live to be 100 years old. Of course, people need to take care of their teeth to make them last forever.

Keep teeth by fighting decay

Those who want to keep their teeth forever need to fight against tooth decay. Unattended cavities harm the structure of the teeth and can lead to tooth loss.

Stages of cavities

Cavities go through various stages. First, people experience white spots. These spots appear due to plaque buildup and calcium loss. Many people ignore these spots.

Enamel decay is the next stage. This makes the tooth softer and easier for bacteria to penetrate the tooth and do serious damage.

Dentin decay is the next stage. This is typically quite painful. At this point, people often complain of toothaches and sensitivity.

This can lead to an infection in the bones and is very dangerous if left untreated. It is also extremely painful.

The last stage is tooth loss. Patients have to go to an office of general dentistry and have the tooth removed. Failure to do so could lead to a serious infection.

Avoid gum disease

Gum disease and tooth loss go hand in hand. People need to avoid gum disease if they want to keep their permanent teeth.

What is gum disease?

People who have gum disease have an infection in the tissue that is responsible for holding the teeth in place. This occurs after plaque builds up and hardens. People in the advanced stages of gum disease often lose teeth.

Preventing gum disease

Proper oral hygiene is necessary in order to prevent gum disease. People should brush their teeth two times a day for two minutes each time. Daily flossing is also important. Use proper flossing techniques to remove all the bacteria.

In addition, regular dental appointments are necessary for preventing gum disease. As people age, they become more prone to this disease, so appointments at an office for general dentistry are even more important.

Oral hygiene is the key

Permanent teeth are meant to last forever, but that will only happen if you take proper care of them. Get cavities treated immediately and take precautions against gum disease. Keep regularly scheduled dental appointments and care for your teeth at home. If you do these things, you can expect to keep your teeth for a lifetime.

Request an appointment here: https://buforddentist.com or call North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry at (770) 932-1115 for an appointment in our Buford office.

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