As a child, it can be very exciting to lose a tooth knowing that you will have an adult tooth in its place. Adult tooth loss can be very distressing. Tooth loss can have huge implications on all aspects of your life and therefore it is important that you maintain your natural teeth for as long as possible to prevent the many complications that tooth loss can bring.
Tooth loss in adults occurs mainly as a result of poor dental hygiene. Throughout your life, it is important that you brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss at least once and use a suitable mouthwash to remove lingering food particles and bacteria from your mouth. This helps keep your teeth clean and healthy. It reduces plaque and tartar that buildup on the surface of your teeth. Plaque and tartar are home to millions of bacteria which are a combination of good bacteria and harmful bacteria. Good bacteria defend your teeth and gums, freshen your breath, and are important for your digestive health. Harmful bacteria, release acids and toxins which damage your teeth and gums. If you do not look after your teeth properly, then eventually, these acids and toxins can cause irreversible damage and result in tooth loss. If you visit the dentist on a timely basis, then plaque and tartar can be removed from your teeth and therefore, the number of harmful bacteria are significantly reduced, there are less acids and toxins in your mouth and you can maintain healthy teeth and gums. You need to visit the dentist at least once every 6 months or more often if necessary and in this way your teeth will be in the best of health.
Replacing missing teeth
If you avoid the dentist and lose a tooth then it is important that you do something about it sooner rather than later. Continuing to avoid the dentist will result in more missing teeth therefore if you want to avoid that you need to visit the dentist immediately and find out about replacing your missing teeth. Missing teeth can be replaced in different ways. This includes a set of dentures, a dental bridge or dental implants Windsor. Different types of tooth replacement have different advantages and disadvantages however the most popular choice of tooth replacement amongst dentists and patients alike is dental implants Windsor. Dental implants are small titaniums screws that are fitted into your jaw so that they become a permanent fixture of your mouth. They act as a root for your replacement tooth. This root is stronger than the natural root of a tooth because a natural tooth root is slightly mobile whereas a dental implant is securely fixed into the jaw. This means a dental implant provides an excellent foundation for a crown or a set of dentures depending on how many teeth you are replacing.
Titanium dental implants
Dental implants are made of titanium because titanium has excellent strength yet is very lightweight. It is also biocompatible which means that it can integrate into your body without causing any adverse reactions or without being rejected. With a success rate of approximately 97%, dental implants are the best way to replace your missing teeth if you are able to do so. Your dentist will need to make sure that you have healthy gums and sufficient healthy jawbone to hold the implant firmly in place. If necessary they will recommend that you have a bone graft and a gum graft to restore any gum or bone that has been affected by disease or decay. Once you are ready you will be booked in for dental implants surgery. Dental implant surgery is an invasive procedure but once complete the implants should last for the rest of your life. It will take approximately four to six months before you can replace your teeth permanently and in some cases you can speak to your dentist and find out about a temporary crown, especially if the missing tooth is near the front of the mouth, to avoid embarrassment and discomfort. An individually tailored crown or set of dentures will be fixed onto your implants restoring the function and appearance of your mouth. Although the crown and dentures may need replacing every five to ten years, depending on wear and tear and how well you look after them, the implant will last for the rest of your life. You need to visit the dentist on a regular basis and maintain excellent dental hygiene and soon you will forget that you ever lost a tooth at all.
