It is amazing how much we take our teeth for granted until we are at risk of losing them. They are such an integral part of our lives. We need them to eat and talk without pain or discomfort and if they are not healthy looking or worse missing, then it affects our self-confidence and how we interact with other people.

It is amazing how much we take our teeth for granted until we are at risk of losing them. They are such an integral part of our lives. We need them to eat and talk without pain or discomfort and if they are not healthy looking or worse missing, then it affects our self-confidence and how we interact with other people.

Brushing and flossing isn’t enough to really take good care of your teeth. It is essential to go to the dentist for regular cleanings and check-ups to head off any future problems. The longer you avoid going to the dentist, the greater the risk you have of experiencing painful and expensive dental issues.

If you are experiencing teeth pain or they seem like they are getting lose, you don’t want to wait any longer to see a dentist. You may be asking yourself, when is it too late to save a tooth? Here are some things to keep in mind.

What is the Root Cause of Tooth Loss?

The two main issues that affect your teeth are tooth decay/cavities and gum disease.  Cavities are the results of buildup of bacteria and acid in the mouth that cause the tooth to lose its enamel and rot. If cavities are not fixed right away, it can lead to infection, pain and even tooth loss.

Another major cause of tooth loss is periodontal or gum disease. When plaque and bacteria build up on the gums, it cause them to become inflamed and infected which then leads to loose teeth which are at risk to fall out.

Symptoms include swollen or irritated gums, throbbing mouth pain, constant bad breath, increased sensitivity to hot and cold and tooth discoloration.

Is Extraction My Only Option?

Luckily with today’s advancements in technology, there are a lot of treatment options available before an extraction is necessary. It all comes down to how long you wait to get help.

• Fillings are the first line of defense. If there is only slight tooth decay present, the dentist can clean out the decay and then fill the whole with a filling.
• Root Canal is for more serious tooth decay, but where the root is still relatively healthy. With the root canal, the dentist has to drill down farther to clean out the tooth decay. You will have to have a crown put on to protect the root from further problems.

Extraction is usually necessary when the decay is too pervasive to stop and/or the gums are too infected to offer support and structure to your teeth. In these cases all the affected teeth will have to be extracted.

If this happens to you, it is crucial that you don’t just leave the empty spot alone. When you have missing teeth not only does it impact your smile and make you self-conscious, it can cause your teeth to shift around more and lead to more dental issues down the line.

Your two best options for replacing missing teeth are implants and dentures. Both of these options help with the appearance and health of your smile. Implants can work for either one missing tooth or multiple ones.

Implants are more permanent than dentures and bridges and the best part is that none of the surrounding teeth have to be modified in the process. A dental implant is basically a post made of titanium that substitutes as a tooth root. The dentist will surgically position the implant into the jawbone below the gum line. Once it is secure, he or she can then either mount replacement teeth or a bridge to the implants. In order to be eligible for implants, your gums must be healthy and there must be enough bone to support the post. If the bone is too weak, you might need a bone graft.

Dentures are another option for missing teeth. If you have more than one or two missing teeth, dentures instead of implants are the more economical way to go. Dentures are basically fake teeth that you can remove to clean. Both partial and full dentures are available depending on how many teeth you have missing.

If you are missing several or all of your teeth, wearing dentures is essential not only for your appearance but your health as well. Without your teeth, it is very difficult to eat or speak and you may become embarrassed to be around other people. Also, your facial muscles can also be affected because without teeth they will start to droop. With dentures, you won’t have any of these problems.

There are two types of dentures: conventional, immediate and overdenture. Conventional dentures are the full set of teeth that can be inserted into your mouth after all of your teeth have been removed and your mouth has time to heal.

Immediate dentures can be used right after the last teeth are removed so there is no wait time. The denture might have to be modified later after the jaw has time to heal. An overdenture goes over a few remaining teeth and serve a similar function as implants.

Keep in mind that wearing dentures does not mean that you don’t have to worry about oral hygiene anymore. The dentures themselves should be cleaned daily and you should also use a soft toothbrush to brush your gums, tongue and the roof of your mouth. Plaque can still build up in your mouth and the tissue in your mouth needs constant circulation.When you have serious concerns about your oral health, you don’t want to go to just any dentist. Make sure you do your research and find a dental office that has experienced staff that are also very compassionate as well. You want someone who will fight hard to save your teeth and not just take the easy way out by pulling out decayed teeth.

Don’t go with the first dentist you find. Take the time to go on several consultations before making a final decision. There is nothing wrong with getting a second or third opinion, if the first one doesn’t sound like the right answer for you.Want to get back on track to a healthier smile? Contact Dental Wellness Phoenixville today.