The Center for Disease Control estimates that at least a quarter of Americans over the age of 65 are missing eight or fewer teeth. Even more startling, about 17 percent of Americans over the age of 65 have lost all of their teeth.
Losing a tooth is an upsetting
event, and dentists agree that one of the worst things you can do is ignore the
missing tooth. If you're missing teeth, then it's important that you see a
dentist as soon as possible to get them replaced. Want to learn about the
procedures that you might undergo to get them replaced?
Read on to learn everything you need
to know about getting your missing teeth replaced.
Why
Do People Lose Teeth?
When you think about tooth loss, you
probably think about people who get into fights or contact sports (hello,
hockey players) losing several of their teeth. While physical trauma is a huge
reason why many people lose their teeth, there are a couple
of other oral health conditions that lead to tooth loss.
The number one reason why people
lose their teeth is that they're suffering from gum disease.
Gum disease is an infection in your
gums, the tissue that is responsible for holding your teeth in place. When you
fail to brush and floss, plaque builds up in your gums and turns into tartar.
As gum disease progresses, your gums start receding, and eventually, you'll
lose teeth.
Untreated cavities are another major
reason why you may lose teeth. If you don't get your cavities filled when they
form, they progress and may result in needing a root canal or having the tooth
removed.
Why
Should You Replace Missing Teeth?
Most people think that you should
replace missing teeth for aesthetic reasons. No one feels comfortable smiling
when they're missing one or more teeth, after all.
There are several reasons why
replacing missing teeth is critical to your overall health. First, missing
teeth impact your ability to chew and break down food. Many people with missing
teeth find that they need to alter their diets to accommodate their ability to
bite and chew.
Your teeth do not stay in one place
once they've grown in. If you lose one or more teeth, you'll notice that the
surrounding teeth shift to fill in the gap. Unfortunately, this leads to
misalignment and jawbone strain.
Over time, your jawbone begins to
deteriorate. Having teeth is critical to a healthy jawbone, and losing just one
tooth is enough to lose stimulation in part of your jawbone. Over time, your
jawbone starts to shrink, your skin sags, and your other teeth may begin to
weaken.
Missing teeth are a serious issue
that should not be ignored.
What
to Do If You've Just Lost a Tooth
If you've just lost a tooth due to
physical trauma, then it's important to take the right steps to preserve your
ability to have it put back in. You have about 30 minutes from the time that
you lose the tooth to get to the dentist to have the chance to save it.
When handling the tooth, be sure to
handle it by the crown rather than the roots to reduce the likelihood of
damaging it. Rinse it with cool water, but don't dry it. Then, gently insert
the tooth back into the socket and bite down on gauze or cotton to keep it from
moving around.
If you cannot get the tooth into the
socket, be sure to keep the tooth moist by placing it in a cup of milk or
water. Once that's done, head to your dentist to see if they can save the
tooth. If the tooth cannot be saved, then you will need to have it replaced via
one of the following options.
Dental
Implants
One of the most common methods for
replacing teeth is a dental implant because they're so reliable, and the end
result is very realistic. Dental implants are a practical solution for people
who are missing a single tooth, multiple teeth, or need to have their teeth
replaced. Like real teeth, if well-maintained, your dental implant can last a
lifetime.
Placing dental implants takes time
and patience. First, the roots of your teeth are replaced with metal screws
that serve as an anchor for the false tooth. A few months later, once the
implant has healed and fused to your jawbone, the dentist places a crown on top
of the screws and secures it.
The only downsides to dental
implants are the amount of time it takes to complete them and the cost of them.
Depending on the dentist you see and your situation, they can cost a few
thousand dollars.
Implant-Supported
Bridges
If you're missing multiple teeth,
the thought of paying for multiple dental implants might be hard to
stomach. Thankfully, there are more economical options for people who are
missing multiple teeth in a row, including implant-supported bridges.
Also known as hybrid bridge dental implants, this procedure requires only two dental implants on
the ends of the row of missing teeth. The teeth in between the implants are
held together via a bridge, and they look just as natural as an implant.
The biggest downside to
implant-supported bridges is the fact that they are not a permanent solution.
After a certain amount of time, you'll need to have the bridge replaced.
Depending on your age, you may need to have the bridge replaced multiple times
throughout your life.
Tooth-Supported
Bridges
Tooth-supported bridges work like
implant-supported bridges. They're bridges that are braced on either side by
your existing teeth. Your dentist will place a crown on the teeth on either
side of the bridge and then cement the bridge into place.
Unlike procedures involving dental
implants, tooth-supported bridges are quick and relatively economical. It's
also less invasive because you don't need to have surgery performed. The
biggest downside of tooth-supported bridges is that they can damage adjoining
teeth if they aren't properly fitted, and food particles may accumulate under
the bridge, requiring careful cleaning.
Dentures
and Partial Dentures
Depending on the number of teeth
you're missing, then you may be a good candidate for either full or partial
dentures.
Full dentures are prescribed for
people who are missing the majority of their teeth. They're held in place with
a fixative that you apply on a daily basis.
Partial dentures are a common
solution for people who are missing several teeth. Unlike full dentures, they
are clasped into place rather than held into place with a fixative. If you lose
additional teeth in the future, you can add them to the partial denture, making
the process pretty economical.
The downside to partial dentures is
that they aren't as comfortable as other teeth replacement options, in the long
term. You'll also need to remove and clean them on a daily basis, and you
cannot sleep with them in. On the upside, if anything happens to your partial
dentures, they're relatively easy to fix or replace, and affordable, too.
Meet
with a Dentist to Explore Your Options
As you can tell, there are a wide
variety of options available if you're missing teeth. Just because one option
might appeal to you more than the others doesn't mean that it's the right
option for your oral health.
The best thing you can do is to sit
down with your dentist to discuss the benefits and risks of each solution. You
should also address any concerns you might have about expenses and aesthetics.
After a thorough discussion, you'll be able to arrive at an ideal solution that
makes sense for your budget and health situation.
How
Do You Prevent Tooth Loss in the Future?
As you can tell, dealing with
missing teeth is stressful and expensive. It's important that you take steps
now to prevent the loss of additional teeth in the future.
The best thing you can do for
yourself is to maintain a regular oral hygiene routine. This means brushing
your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day. Be sure to visit your dentist
every six months for cleanings and to check for cavities and signs of gum
disease.
Your
Oral Health Is Critical!
Dealing with missing teeth means
more than just worrying about the aesthetic and social impacts.
You also have to worry about how
they impact your overall oral health and the spacing of the rest of your teeth.
The best thing you can do when you're missing teeth is to schedule an
appointment with your dentist to discuss which options will work best for you
and improve the appearance of your smile. You won't regret taking this powerful
step toward a better smile.
Do you want to learn about more awesome ways you can take your health to the next level? You've come to the right place. Check out the rest of our blog for tons of tips that'll keep you looking and feeling your best.
