Tooth loss in adults is not as rare as you may think. So if you have lost a tooth then do not panic, you are not alone. There are many factors which can cause tooth loss including not cleaning your teeth properly, avoiding the dentist, tooth decay and gum disease. If you do not clean your teeth properly and avoid the dentist at the same time then plaque and tartar build up on your teeth. Plaque and tartar damage your teeth and damage your gums, causing tooth decay and gum disease. If you visit the dentist then tooth decay and gum disease can be treated, but if you continue to avoid the dentist then eventually they result in tooth loss.
If you look after your teeth properly and visit the dentist on a regular basis then your teeth are actually designed to last for the rest of your life. However, here in the UK 3/4 of adults are missing at least one tooth. If you are missing a tooth then you need to speak to your dentist and find out about replacing the missing tooth as soon as possible. This is because one missing tooth can result in many missing teeth. Firstly your dentist will find out the cause of the tooth loss and address this issue. If the tooth fell out as a result of tooth decay then your dentist will check your remaining teeth for signs of cavities or decay and treat this accordingly. If you lost your tooth as a result of gum disease then this will need to be treated. Gum disease can be treated by maintaining excellent dental hygiene at home and undergoing a thorough professional clean, including root planing which cleans underneath the gums, at the dental practice with your hygienist. You may need a course of antibiotics to treat the infection and in severe cases may need to undergo gum surgery. Once the gum disease is treated you are ready to replace your missing teeth.
Dental implants
Speak to your dentist and find out about dental implants Sheffield. Dental implants are the gold standard in tooth replacement therapy. They are small medical grade titanium screws that are fitted into your jaw to replace the root of your missing tooth. With oral implants you can replace one missing tooth or multiple missing teeth depending on how many have fallen out or have been extracted. The process itself takes time and therefore it needs to be initiated as soon as possible. The longer you wait to replace your missing tooth the more complicated the process will become and you may lose more teeth during that time.
Speak to your dentist today and find out more about replacing your missing teeth. Your dentist will be able to plan the surgery according to your unique dental needs. The surgery is an invasive procedure so you will be given an anaesthetic and other sedation if necessary to make it as comfortable for you as possible. Once the surgery is done you should be able to replace your missing teeth within approximately six months, so speak to your dentist today and get the process started.
