Tips for preventing tooth loss
Whether you still have a full set of pearly whites or you have already lost one, these tips can help you prevent further tooth loss and keep your teeth healthy for life.
What causes tooth loss?
There are several reasons why tooth loss may occur including age, poor dental hygiene and trauma. However, most commonly it is due to bad habits. By following these tips, you will be well on your way to having a healthy smile for life.
Click here to read: What to do if you knock a tooth out in an accident
1. Active at-home maintenance
We recommend brushing teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once at night to remove bacteria and plaque build-up from any leftover food. Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste will ensure teeth remain strong and healthy and are resistant to decay. While brushing is important, it doesn’t reach everything. This is why we recommend flossing between each tooth once a day as well. Brushing alone only cleans two-thirds of the tooth and the remaining third is left untouched. Without flossing food and bacteria can remain on the tooth’s surface for days building up plaque and eventually leading to decay. An ADA approved mouthwash is also helpful to clean the mouths surfaces.
2. Regular dental check-ups
All patients should visit the dentist every 6 months to ensure early detection of any problems. Cavities can form only after a few days and if left untreated can progress to severe damage to the tooth. Patients who do not receive fillings when they need them may need a larger restoration such as a crown. When patients have a number of fillings on a single tooth it can become too weak to hold any more. At this stage, your dentist may recommend adding a crown for strength or removing the tooth and receiving a dental implant.
3. Maintain a healthy diet
Foods containing sugars can lead to decay and damage to teeth. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar turning them into acid which eats away at the enamel of the tooth causing a hole or cavity. We understand avoiding these foods altogether can be difficult so remember to rinse your mouth with water afterwards. This will reduce the amount of sugar left on your tooth surface.
Dairy foods contain calcium which promotes tooth strength and certain cheeses contain enzymes that combat decay forming bacteria. Crunchy vegetables such as carrot and celery help keep teeth clean in between brushing. We recommend including these foods into your daily meals to help prevent decay that could lead to tooth loss.
4. Wear protection
Patients who participate in contact sports are encouraged to always wear a mouthguard. Mouthguards protect teeth from chips, cracks and tooth loss that can occur from falls, knocks and collisions during sporting games. Weakened teeth are more likely to eventually lead to tooth loss than if they are undamaged.
I’ve lost a tooth is it too late?
Occasionally teeth can be re-inserted if patients get to an emergency dentist as soon as the injury occurs. However, if your tooth was lost you still have options available to you.
Brisbane Dental Implant Group specialise in providing patients with a long-term solution to tooth loss. Dental implants restore the function and aesthetic of your tooth by replacing the tooth root and crown. They are natural looking, durable and act in a similar manner to a natural tooth.
