Losing a tooth as an adult can be scary and embarrassing; it can quickly affect your remaining teeth and cause you much distress and worry. If you lose a tooth, visit your dentist as soon as possible so that they can reduce the complications that missing teeth can have. Remember that you are not alone. Here in Australia, missing teeth are a lot more common than you may think. On average, Australian adults are missing about five teeth, with the most common reasons for tooth loss being tooth decay and gum disease.
Tooth decay and gum disease occur as a result of poor oral hygiene and a lack of regular dental checkups. A layer of biofilm builds up on the surface of your teeth, which is inhabited by a million types of bacteria, both good and harmful. Every time you eat, these bacteria are encouraged to release acids and toxins that can cause damage to your teeth and gums. You must brush your teeth thoroughly after meals and avoid sugary treats and snacks as much as possible to keep your teeth clean, healthy and free of decay and disease. It is also important that you visit your dentist regularly, at least once every six months so that any excess biofilm can be removed. This is often done by the hygienist as part of preventive dental care. The more biofilm that builds up on your teeth, the more susceptible your teeth become to decay and disease. Your teeth will appear yellow or even brown, and this can affect the appearance of your smile.
How does tooth decay cause tooth loss?
Tooth decay begins when the bacteria in your mouth make acids that attack the enamel; this can lead to the formation of a small hole known as a cavity. The cavity can also extend to the root of your tooth, causing an infection. If the infection is left untreated, it can lead to abscesses, bone loss, pain, sensitivity and discomfort, and if you continue to avoid attending a dental checkup, the pain will become so bad that you need a tooth extraction or the tooth will become so weak it falls out of its own accord.
How does gum disease cause tooth loss?
Gum disease occurs due to bacterial infections caused by too much plaque and tartar on the surface of the teeth. The bacteria living in the plaque and tartar release toxins that cause the gums to become red, sore and inflamed. Eventually, this can result in deep pockets forming between your gums, which fill with more bacteria, plaque and tartar, becoming deeper. As the gums break down, so does the bone tissue supporting the tooth, resulting in permanent bone loss, and eventually, the tooth will become wobbly and fall out as there is no support structure to hold it in place.
Dental implants
If you have lost a tooth either due to tooth decay or gum disease, speak to your dentist immediately about replacing the missing tooth. Your dentist will check whether any of your other teeth are affected by tooth decay or whether your gums are still infected; they will put together a treatment plan for you and then discuss replacing your missing teeth.
An excellent tool for tooth replacement is dental implants Sydney CBD. Dental implants are the gold standard in tooth replacement because they provide a permanent and fixed solution for missing teeth. Dental implants are small titanium screws that can be placed into the bone socket of your missing tooth. They replace the root of the missing tooth so that your choice of prosthetic can be fitted into your mouth securely and held in place like your natural teeth. If you have suffered from bone loss because of gum disease, you will receive a bone graft to hold the implant in place, and your gums will be treated to improve your overall dental health. Once the implant is in place, the implant site will take approximately 4 to 6 months to heal, after which the appearance and function of your mouth will be restored.
It is important that you maintain excellent dental hygiene and visit your dentist regularly to prevent cavities from affecting your teeth again and gum disease from re-infecting your gums or damaging the bone. In this way, you can maintain your dental implants for the rest of your life.
Disclaimer
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
