Dental problems can affect both your oral and general health. If you lose or damage a tooth, you should always visit your dentist as soon as possible to reduce the risk of long term damage. They will be able to advise you on the best course of action, and they may even be able to reset the lost tooth.
However, it is always useful to know what your options are when things like this happen. If you do happen to lose a tooth, you should always look after it and call an emergency dentist to see if it can be saved. If it can’t, you do have a number of options.
What Should I Do If My Tooth Is Knocked Out?
If you lose a tooth while playing sport or undertaking some other sort of physical activity, you need to act quickly to give your dentist the best chance of saving it. First, you should locate the tooth if possible. Clean it in a glass of milk if there is one available, and get to an emergency dentist as soon as you can. Make sure that the tooth doesn’t dry out, otherwise you might find that it isn’t possible to put it back in. If you do the right thing and look after the knocked out tooth properly, there is a fair chance that your dentist will be able to put it back in.
What Are My Options If My Tooth Can’t Be Put Back In?
If you lose a tooth or have to have one removed, then you do have a few different options. Although different things are suited to different people, some of the most popular choices for dealing with a lost tooth include:
Getting an implant:
Dental implants, or fake teeth, are popular when it comes to dealing with lost teeth. They are basically placed in the spot where the old tooth used to be, which fills the gap and prevents your other teeth from moving. Implants are usually fixed surgically, which means that they are a good choice for young people with otherwise healthy teeth.
Removable dentures:
If you don’t like the idea of getting a fake tooth implanted in your mouth, you may choose to go for a set of removable partial dentures. These are a good choice if you have more than one tooth missing, as they can be taken out and cleaned if they need to be.
Fixed bridges:
If you don’t like the idea of an implant, you could also choose to get a fixed bridge. In this case, the fake tooth is attached to the two teeth either side of it, rather than being implanted into your jaw.
Final Word:
Losing a tooth is a pain in the neck, but it certainly isn’t the end of the world. Modern dentistry has come up with a range of different choices for people with missing teeth. If you have recently lost a tooth, speak to your dentist to find out what your best option is.