If you lose one or more teeth, you could face a number of complications ranging from a blow to your self-esteem with gaps in your smile to oral dysfunction to facing further dental problems. You can talk to your dentist to find a personalized treatment that can restore your smile after tooth loss. But ideally, you should preserve your natural dental structure for as long as you can.
The best way to do this is to give your smile routine attention so that it can stay healthy. And if you engage in risky, high-contact activities, take precautionary measures to protect your smile. Read on to learn two major actions you should take to prevent tooth loss from affecting your smile.
Wear Oral Appliances
A common way that someone might lose a tooth is through impact trauma or physical strain that causes the tooth to fall out of its socket. You might not avoid an accident, like a blow to the face. But you can take measures to protect your smile during high-risk scenarios.
For instance, if you are an athlete engaging in high-contact sports, you might want to wear a mouthguard. A dentist can recommend a customized device to fit over your teeth as you play these types of sports. Then if you get hit in the mouth, the guard will absorb the blow so that you do not hurt your teeth.
The dentist might also suggest wearing a night guard if you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth as you sleep. These behaviors generate pressure on the teeth that could cause enough damage over time that the tooth could fall out.
A night guard will cushion the teeth against this habit so that they will not sustain this damage. Consult with your dentist to learn about the preventative capabilities of oral appliances.
Practice Proper Oral Hygiene
The leading cause of tooth loss in adults is gum disease, a common type of infection in the gum tissue. Bacteria eat away at the gums, teeth, and jawbone, causing enough deterioration that the teeth can fall out of their sockets.
Damage to the teeth themselves, such as advanced tooth decay, may also lead to tooth loss. They may even require extraction after enough harm to the dental structure. Seek urgent treatment for these dental problems to avoid this irreversible dental damage.
You can prevent developing these issues in your smile in the first place if you practice proper oral hygiene. When you keep your teeth clean, you reduce your chances of forming these problems, so you can keep your smile looking and feeling its best.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily to remove plaque, lingering food particles, and other residues that will hurt your teeth. To maximize oral hygiene and its benefits, attend routine cleanings and exams at your dentist’s office. They can thoroughly clean your smile and also spot early signs of dental problems. Then they will intervene before they create extensive damage.