The number of people who have lost teeth is astonishing. Why?

The achievements in modern dentistry are astonishing. The choice of oral and dental care products and the availability of information are wider than ever before. Despite this, dentists regret that patients lose their teeth too often and too early.

Raimondas Savickas, a Dentist and Orthopaedic Surgeon at the PIK clinic in Vilnius, says that teeth are lost for various reasons. “This can be caused by different factors such as genetics and hereditary diseases. Some patients are indeed more prone to diseases such as periodontitis, which affects the hard and soft tissues of the mouth. If left untreated, this is a real cause of tooth loss.”

Nevertheless, a predisposition to disease is certainly not a death sentence. “It is a risk factor, but there is practically nothing that modern dentistry cannot overcome. The direct causes of tooth loss lie elsewhere,” says Raimondas Savickas.

The doctor revealed the three most common causes of tooth loss:

• Poor hygiene. Regardless of whether a patient is prone to disease or not, poor oral hygiene can lead to tooth loss. Plaque builds up on unkempt teeth and turns into tartar. This condition causes gingivitis which progresses to periodontitis. From there, it is only a few steps to a toothless smile. “It is essential to brush your teeth thoroughly in the morning and evening, and not to forget dental floss and mouthwash. Even if you brush your teeth correctly and thoroughly, you will not be able to avoid professional dental cleaning as only this procedure can remove hard plaque,” says the dentist.

• Rare appointments with the dentist, i.e. avoiding the dentist, are another sensitive issue. “Older patients remember Soviet dentistry very well. Perhaps that is why they avoid treatment. Unfortunately, not all diseases of the teeth and oral cavity are detected early. Sometimes patients seek help from a dentist when the damage has already spread. Often, it is impossible to save such a tooth and it has to be removed,” admits Raimondas Savickas. That is why it is important to see a dentist at least once or twice a year.

• Diet. Foods containing carbohydrates, sugars and acids have an adverse effect on tooth enamel. The same applies to carbonated drinks, drinks high in sweeteners, coffee and black tea. Not to mention bad habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption. “We tend to neglect moderation. Often, these products make up a large part of patients’ diets. This quickly leads to damage to hard dental tissue and tooth decay. If left untreated, this condition increases the likelihood of tooth loss,” warns the doctor.

Do not wait until you feel pain and take care of your teeth now! Have an appointment at the PIK Clinic where experienced professionals will assess the condition of your mouth and teeth, identify any problems in a timely manner and prescribe effective treatment.