Bone loss in teeth can be caused by several factors, including:
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Periodontal Disease: Ongoing gum irritation and swelling, called inflammation, can cause periodontitis. This can lead to deep pockets forming between the gums and teeth, which fill with plaque, tartar, and bacteria, causing a loss of tissue and bone over time. If not treated, this can lead to tooth loss and bone loss.
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Missing Teeth: When a tooth is removed and not replaced, jaw bone deterioration may occur. Natural teeth stimulate the jaw bone through activities such as chewing and biting. When teeth are missing, the portion of the jaw bone that anchors the teeth in the mouth no longer receives the necessary stimulation and begins to break down or resorb, leading to bone loss.
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Trauma: Tooth and jaw trauma, such as teeth knocked out from injury or accident, jaw fractures, or teeth with a history of trauma that may die, can lead to bone loss.
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Poor Bite and TMJ Disorder: Misalignment of the teeth or jaw can result in bone loss when teeth are no longer providing direct stimulation due to lack of an opposing tooth structure. Other misalignment issues, including TMJ disorder, wisdom teeth eruption, and normal wear-and-tear, can also result in the inability to perform natural activities such as chewing and biting, leading to bone loss.
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Dentures/Bridgework: Wearing dentures or partials can accelerate bone loss. This bone loss is why patients dentures and partials become "loose" over time until enough bone is lost that they can no longer wear them.
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Poor Diet: A poor diet, including a low vitamin C level, can contribute to bone loss.
Its important to note that bone loss around teeth is quite common and can be a result of either missing teeth or advanced periodontitis. If bone loss is occurring, its important to stop it from progressing and make a plan for rebuilding what was lost.
