A generation or two ago, it was common for patients to lose their teeth. Because tooth loss happened to so many people, there was an assumption that losing teeth must be a natural part of the aging process. This assumption is a myth. The reality is that you should be able to keep your teeth for a lifetime.
The reason tooth loss used to be so common is that people had poor dental health habits. In fact, in the United States daily tooth brushing was not common in many households until after the Second World War. Today, brushing is a daily habit, but too many people forget to floss.
When people make brushing and flossing a part of their normal daily routine and also visit our office on a regular basis for recommended examinations and professional cleanings, they set the stage to keep their teeth for a lifetime.
