If you lose a tooth, you might struggle with a number of issues stemming from this change and the resulting damage to your smile. You might feel self-conscious about your smile’s appearance if there are gaps. You may have trouble completing oral functions like speaking or eating. And you could face further problems with your dental health that occur in the aftermath of tooth loss.
Your dentist can help you enhance, restore, and protect your smile by replacing missing teeth with dental implants or other effective tooth replacement solutions. But ideally, you can prevent tooth loss in the first place. Read on to find two steps that will preserve your smile and avoid losing one or more of your teeth.
Wear Oral Appliances As Directed
Impact trauma and other physical wear and tear upon your teeth might make you lose a tooth. While you cannot always avoid an accident, such as a blow to the face, you can take measures to protect your smile in high-risk situations.
For instance, athletes who engage in high-contact sports can benefit from wearing a mouthguard. A dentist can make these oral appliances on a custom basis so that they fit both securely and comfortably. Then they will not interfere with or distract from your athletic performance as you wear it.
The mouthguard will cushion your teeth against facial injuries that could otherwise knock out your teeth. Then, you can keep your smile healthy and complete.
A dentist might also suggest a night guard that will protect your teeth against habits like teeth grinding that generate pressure that might hurt your teeth in your sleep. Consult with your dentist to find the best mouthguard for your specific needs.
Practice Consistent Oral Hygiene
The leading cause of tooth loss in adult dental patients is gum disease. This infection of the gum tissue will allow bacteria to eat away at the gums, teeth, and jawbone. It results in extensive damage to the point the teeth may fall out of their sockets.
Damage to the teeth themselves, such as severe tooth decay, will also have a high chance of falling out or requiring extraction. You should seek urgent treatment for these conditions before they progress to this point. But you can also prevent them in the first place by practicing good oral hygiene.
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily will remove plaque from your smile. This natural film over the teeth will otherwise erode the enamel of your teeth and allow oral bacteria to spread and wreak this havoc upon your oral health. So complete oral hygiene on a consistent basis to ensure you get rid of plaque in a timely fashion before it causes this damage.
Good oral hygiene also involves attending routine teeth cleanings with your dentist. They clear away plaque and tartar build-up that your typical oral hygiene tools can commonly miss. During these appointments, the dentist performs an oral exam. This way, they can spot and then treat harmful dental conditions promptly before they advance.