Tooth Loss – Prevention And Replacement

How to reduce the chances of losing a tooth and what to do when it does happen

The one thing we all dread will happen is that we will lose a tooth, especially if this is a visible one that will be noticeable when we smile or speak to others. Although there can be no guarantee against tooth loss as this can happen because of an accident, there is a lot that we can do to prevent it by making sure that we look after our teeth and gums well.

The Cygnet Dental Practice believes strongly in preventative dental care and, in addition to brushing and flossing on a daily basis, we believe that our Wickford patients should see both a dentist and a hygienist on a regular six monthly basis at least.

In today’s blog, we will remind patients how to keep their teeth for as long as possible and also, how we can help you if you do lose a tooth or a number of teeth.

Good oral care at home

Looking after your teeth involves a degree of taking responsibility ourselves. We all know that drinking too many high sugar drinks and eating too much sugary foods, such as sweets, is bad for our teeth and we would do well to cut down on those. We should also make sure that we brush our teeth twice a day, ensuring that our brush is still in good condition. We should also start to use floss for interdental cleaning, if we don’t already. It is important that we don’t neglect our gums when we clean too. Gum disease is responsible for a lot of tooth loss; a fact that may come as a surprise to some patients.

Professional care

Everyone should see a dentist every six months. This is important for detecting any problems at a relatively early stage and treating them appropriately. A small amount of decay that could have been restored with a small filling could lead to much more significant damage if left to advance. This could even cause a tooth to weaken and break beyond the point where it is possible to restore it. The same applies with seeing a hygienist. Most people should visit our Wickford hygienist every six months, and more often if you are at a higher risk of gum disease; being diabetic for example. This will enable your teeth to be professionally and thoroughly cleaned, reducing the risk of gum disease, and especially advanced gum disease which can lead to the loss of teeth.

Prosthodontics

Sometimes, it is impossible to prevent tooth loss. Accidents are a good example of this situation and the older we get, the bigger the risk of tooth loss for a number of reasons. That doesn’t mean that you have to settle for having a gap in your teeth though. At the Cygnet Dental Practice, we offer three possible solutions to replace teeth.

Dentures

Partial or full dentures are probably the best known tooth replacement system. There are some positives in this method as it often doesn’t require any invasive surgery and there is no doubt that modern dentures are much improved on their forerunners. The problem does still arise for many wearers though that their dentures become unstable and, because they rub against the gums, often become uncomfortable too. They can also be quite fiddly to clean.

Dental bridge

A more secure and stable option to replace missing teeth is a dental bridge. This is a replacement tooth, or teeth, that are secured into place by a crown at each end which is then attached to the teeth either side of the gap. One issue for many patients though is that this can mean that the teeth that they are attached to have to be shaped and prepared. As these are often healthy teeth, it is no surprise that some people are reluctant to have any work done to them.

Dental implants

Implants are rapidly becoming the number one preference for replacing missing teeth. Although they do require minor surgery, they also provide a replacement tooth that not only looks entirely natural but, once accustomed to it, feels like a natural tooth too. They are extremely strong and are straightforward to look after, requiring very similar care to your natural teeth. A healthy dental implant can also last for a very long time, often in the region of twenty to thirty years if looked after properly.

Everybody is different, and one option to replace missing teeth might be better for you than others. If you have lost a tooth and would like to discuss which treatment would be the most appropriate, please call our Wickford dental practice to make an appointment for a consultation with one of our experienced team. You can reach us by calling on 01268 733078 or using the website contact form or chatbot.