There are many reasons why bone loss in the jaw happens. In fact, addressing it is essential for your oral health and facial appearance. If you notice some deterioration in your jawbone, visit a trusted dental provider like the dental team of Complete Dental located in Coorparoo. Getting the proper treatment is the only way to prevent jawbone deterioration and other issues accompanied by it. Read on to learn more about the different reasons for jawbone loss, including its side effects and how to prevent them.
Jawbone Deterioration
The jawbone, also known as the alveolar bone, anchors one’s teeth into their mouth. Like how muscles respond to exercise, jaw bone remains healthy through constant use. Because of biting and chewing, natural teeth activate and strengthen the jawbone. Nevertheless, some factors can weaken the bone tissue, making it deteriorate after some time.
In addition, the side effects of gradual jawbone deterioration can be noticeable and constraining. Usually, these include:
- Inability to speak properly
- Collapsed facial profile
- Limited lip support
- Misaligned, drifting, or loosened teeth
- Wrinkled skin around the mouth
- Distortion of facial features
- Discomfort when chewing
- Headaches, facial pain, and jaw pain
- Sinus Expansion
Common Reasons for Jawbone Loss
Jawbone is essential to your oral and overall health. In fact, there are a host of reasons for jawbone loss and deterioration. Among the common causes are:
Missing Teeth
When a tooth is lost due to trauma or extracted because of severe decay, there could be no longer roots to stimulate the jawbone. Over the long run, the body quits sending resources to the space where the tooth was. That part of the jaw will gradually deteriorate. As a matter of fact, the longer you neglect missing teeth, the more you lose bone tissue that can affect remaining teeth, causing further tooth loss.
Severe Gum Disease
Gum disease or periodontal disease can gradually destroy the support system for natural teeth, which incorporates the jawbone. Dental plaque, made basically out of food particles and bacteria, adheres to the teeth beneath the gum line and starts to deteriorate them. In fact, a severe form of gum disease causes gradual jawbone loss that eventually loosens neighboring teeth and can make them fall out.
Full or Partial Dentures
People who wear dentures are much prone to have jaw bone loss. This dental appliance can become loose and cause even more significant issues. Nevertheless, dentures with implant support will adequately invigorate and preserve the jawbone.
Misalignment
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, normal wear and tear, and lack of treatment can cause abnormal physical forces meddling with a person’s ability to grind their teeth and chew properly. Suppose you have misaligned teeth, or there is not a restricting tooth structure. In that case, the unopposed tooth may over emerge and damage the underlying bone.
Sinus Deficiencies
Sinus deficiencies occur when there is a severe upper jawbone loss. Once your dentist removes your molars, air pressure can cause resorption of the jawbone that once held those teeth in place.
Side Effects of Jawbone Loss
Besides the symptoms above, jawbone loss can cause you to lose teeth, making it impossible or difficult to get replacement teeth without doing bone grafting first.
Additionally, bone loss in the jaw can also prompt a facial collapse. This makes your mouth appears to fall back into your face, your jawline turns out to be more pointed, and your facial muscles deteriorate. This event will result in premature wrinkling around your mouth and a thinning of your lips. In fact, these progressions will, in general, make you seem older than your real age.
Treating Dental Bone Loss
The best method to restore lost jawbone tissue is through bone grafting. During the procedure, your dentist or oral surgeon can replace lost bone tissue with grafting material. Over a couple of months, the bone graft material blends into your body. Then, it becomes strong, normal tissue, reestablishing the jaw bone density. Furthermore, a bone graft can utilize your own bone, donor’s bone, or manufactured grafting bone material.
How to Prevent Jawbone Loss
By doing an early action, you can prevent the need for bone grafts and other expensive treatments later on. Here are some treatment options accessible to help prevent your jawbone from deteriorating.
Dental Implants
Dental implant surgery is the most effective way to replace a missing tooth. The implant is the titanium post that mimics the qualities of a natural tooth root and gives essential stimulation to your jawbone. By stimulating the encompassing tissue, the implants urge your brain to deliver resources to the jaw and keep up with the strength and stability of your jaw.
Socket Preservation Grafts
A socket preservation graft can help prevent tissue loss in the extraction site. This technique is ideal for patients who undergo a tooth extraction and do not qualify for immediate dental implant 
surgery. Most of the time, the procedure will be performed simultaneously as an extraction.
If you want to know more about other possible treatments, ask your family dentist for other options. They can help you create the best treatment plan for your condition.
Lifestyles Changes
Similarly, as with some other bone in your body, your jaw requires some nutrients. Bones need calcium, protein, vitamin D, and phosphorus, and other essential nutrients.
Eating a healthy balanced diet and a lot of whole vegetables and fruits can improve bone health. So suppose you are not getting the necessary nutrients from your food. Then you can ask your doctor for the proper daily supplements for you.
Moreover, smoking and using any tobacco products can put your bone health in danger. Abstaining from smoking and keeping a healthy lifestyle can protect and enhance your overall health and the health of your jaw.
References:
TMJ disorders.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/symptoms-causes/syc-20350941
Periodontal (Gum) Disease.
https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease/more-info
Socket Preservation.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/socket-preservation
