- Get dental treatments to stimulate natural jawbone growth and reduce the risk of jawbone loss.
- Practice good oral hygiene, including quitting smoking and eating a healthy diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus.
- Avoid certain medications that increase the risk of jawbone loss and reduce stress levels.
- Wear a night guard to prevent teeth clenching and grinding, which can strain the jawbone.
Jaw bone loss is a severe problem that can have long-term effects on oral health. It can lead to tooth loss, misalignment of the teeth, and other complications. Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent jawbone loss before it starts. With these simple steps in place, you should be able to keep your jaw strong and healthy for years to come!
Get dental implants
Dental implants are an excellent option for those looking to restore their smile and chew efficiently. Implants can provide natural-looking tooth replacements that help reduce the risk of jawbone loss.
Since dentures, bridges, and other prosthetic devices are not fixed into the jawbone, they only utilize the ridge of gum tissue without stimulating the underlying jaw bones. Installing a dental implant effectively stimulates the natural growth and development of new bone tissue in the jaw area, ensuring that it remains healthy and maintains its structure over time.
Additionally, dental implants help boost overall dental health by reducing pressure on other remaining teeth and preventing further tooth loss or misalignment that could result from shifting teeth due to missing ones. It’s essential to have an experienced dentist provide quality care when undergoing a dental implant procedure for maximum effectiveness and safety.
Practice good oral hygiene.
Here are some tips on how to practice good oral hygiene to prevent jaw bone loss:
Quit smoking
Quitting smoking is essential to stop jaw bone loss, as smoking has been linked to an increased risk of periodontal disease, which accelerates bone loss. To prevent this, it is essential to quit the habit in the most effective way possible. This can be done through various methods such as medication, nicotine replacement therapy, and lifestyle changes.
However, quitting gradually over time may have the most success; research indicates that those who slowly wean themselves off cigarettes have had more successful outcomes than immediate cessation.
Eat a healthy diet
Eating a healthy diet prevents jaw bone loss from gingivitis and periodontal diseases. The diet must include adequate calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus, which are critical to maintaining strong teeth and bones. Calcium helps keep teeth strong and helps with nerve conduction, muscle contraction, and hormone secretion.
Vitamin D aids in the proper absorption of calcium, while phosphorus helps maintain pH balance and calcium concentration. A lack of these nutrients can lead to weakened bones, which could result in jaw bone loss associated with severe gum disease conditions. To prevent this, it’s crucial to ensure that your diet contains enough of these three essential vitamins and minerals to keep your teeth and bones healthy and strong.
Avoid certain medications
Avoiding certain medications that can increase the risk of jawbone loss is critical for those looking to maintain their health. Usually taken as oral supplements, these medications can raise prolactin levels, resulting in bone deterioration and alveolar resorption.
To prevent this from happening, it is essential to understand which types of drugs are known to harm bone health and always speak with your doctor before starting any new treatment plan. Not only can this help prevent a future bout with jawbone loss, but it can also help individuals keep their teeth in proper alignment. Taking precautions now can ensure healthier bones for years to come.
Reduce stress levels
Jaw bone loss can be one of the adverse effects of prolonged and untreated stress. Still, following a few simple exercises and relaxation activities can help you prevent this from happening. Relaxation activities such as yoga, journaling, and gentle stretching can help relieve stress levels and improve muscle tone.
Focusing on breathing and positive thoughts is essential when engaging in these activities. This can help relax your body’s “fight or flight” response which often produces an increase in stress hormones like cortisol leading to a decrease in jaw bone mass. Taking regular breaks throughout the day and scheduling time in advance to participate in leisure activities is also essential to keep stress levels at bay.
While each individual should determine their way to relax, moving away from stressful situations or simply allowing yourself a few moments of peace could benefit both your mental and physical well-being.
Wear a night guard
When it comes to preventing jaw bone loss, wearing a night guard can effectively treat clenching and grinding of the teeth at night. Those with these habits need to wear their guard consistently for it to work.
The reason this is so important is that when teeth are clenched or ground together for an extended period, it puts significant strain on the surrounding jawbone, which can lead to major issues in the long run. Night guards create a protective barrier between your top and bottom teeth, allowing them to slide against each other gently while preventing your grinding and clenching behavior.
These are just a few of the many ways you can help prevent jaw bone loss. By making small changes to your lifestyle, you can ensure that your teeth stay strong and healthy for years to come!
