If you go onto TikTok, you can find people from all walks of life sharing their stories in short clips. Among these endless videos are attractive adults in their 30s or 40s taking out their dentures and showing off toothless smiles. It isn’t every day that you see someone young with dentures, right? Isn’t tooth loss an “old people thing”?
The truth is that about 120 million people in the US are missing at least one tooth, and 36 million have no natural teeth left at all—and not all of them are seniors! Modern dentures are much more subtle, comfortable, and lifelike than they used to be. Adults of any age could be wearing dentures without your knowledge. Keep reading to learn how this stigma can affect younger adults and why tooth loss really happens.
Tooth Loss Isn’t Connected to Age
Although many mature adults have missing teeth, tooth loss is not a direct result of aging. In fact, there are plenty of elderly people who still have their natural smiles. It is more common for older adults over the age of 65 to require dentures than younger adults between the ages of 20 and 34; however, society has unfairly deemed dentures an accommodation purely for senior citizens, making those who need them earlier in life feel even more self-conscious.
Reasons for Tooth Loss in Younger Years
Understanding what causes tooth loss can help destigmatize getting dentures at younger age. It can also help more adults—whether just entering adulthood or retiring—preserve more of their natural teeth. Here are the main reasons why a person may need dentures:
- Tooth decay — If left untreated, a cavity can become so damaging that the tooth cannot be saved.
- Gum infection — Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults, and it is present in about half of American adults over the age of 30.
- Poorly managed diabetes — If you have diabetes and eat sugary foods excessively, your risk of oral infections increases along with other medical complications.
- Smoking — Smoking and even vaping encourage bacterial growth, which can eventually cause tooth loss.
- Teeth grinding — Whether you’re overly stressed or you clench or grind your teeth while you sleep, your teeth can wear down and even crack under the pressure.
- Hormonal changes — Pregnancy, stress, and other stages of life come with many changes to your body, and unfortunately, one common side effect is oral health issues.
Knowing these risks, adults can take steps to minimize tooth loss with the help of their dentist. However, sometimes tooth loss is inevitable, despite precautions and treatment. The good news is that modern dentures can bring back an adult’s appearance, confidence, and function.
Hopefully, you’ve learned that tooth loss isn’t just something older adults have to worry about. It’s an issue that adults of all ages need to be aware of.
About the Practice
Williamsburg Dental provides full services for patients who are missing teeth. From traditional dentures to implants, we handle every step of the treatment process in-house. We have six locations throughout Lincoln, which means that there is an office close to your home or work. If you have questions about tooth loss and replacement, you can contact one of our offices online or call to make an appointment.