Did you know that by the age of 50, most Americans have lost about 12 Teeth
? That's a lot of teeth to lose!
Dr. Seuss said, "Teeth are always in style". And he was right. Having a mouth full of pearly whites is both desirable
and practical.
Brushing and flossing aren't always enough. You need to head to the dentist on a regular basis if you want to avoid problems.
But if you're experiencing pain, your teeth feel loose, or you have a rotten tooth, you may wonder: can I save my teeth? Or is it too late?
The good news is that there are several ways to save your teeth. So, are you ready? Brace yourselves, it's time to start saving teeth!
You may wonder: can I save my teeth? Or is removal the only way to stop the pain? With today's amazing advances in the medical field, extraction isn't the only option.
There are different treatments available, but it all depends on what the problem is. Read on to find out the different ways to save a loose tooth.
Fillings for a Rotten Tooth
Fillings are the first line of defense from rotting teeth. If you have a small amount of tooth decay, the dentist will clean the area and fill it. This will stop the decay from spreading.
Materials used for fillings may include gold, porcelain, resin or amalgams (mercury, silver, tin, copper or zinc). A composite resin is the same color as teeth which makes it a popular choice.
By closing off the cavity, you can restore your tooth back to its normal function.
Saving a Loose Tooth
You may have a loose tooth due to trauma in the mouth.
If your mouth has experienced light trauma, you should wait a couple of weeks before seeking dental treatment. This is because teeth can naturally tighten themselves up after minor trauma. If it doesn't fix itself, you'll need to go for an examination.
If your jaw has received major impact from something you should visit the dentist immediately. For example, a boxing match, car accident or something similar. They will do an assessment and check if there are any chips or cracks in your jaw and teeth.
Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to reduce the chance of infection. They may also use a splint to secure the loose teeth. This method can use your strong teeth to support your wobbly teeth by using an adhesive resin.
Fix Gum Disease
Gum disease can also cause wobbly teeth and eventually lead to tooth loss. Many people suffer without realizing it. In fact, a recent report shows that 47.2% of adults
have some form of gum disease.
Can you fix gum disease? As usual, prevention is better than a cure.
Regular dentist appointments and a good routine of oral hygiene will help you to keep gum disease at bay. As well as wobbly teeth, signs of gum disease may include:
- Red and swollen gums
- White gums
- Bleeding gums or abscesses
- Abnormal taste the in mouth
- Bad breath
If your teeth have become wobbly due to gum disease, your dentist may follow the same treatment as mentioned above. Antibiotics and a splint with strong adhesive.
What to Do about an Abscess
If you have an abscess you can get over-the-counter pain relief to ease the discomfort. But this only works temporarily, and if it's left for a long period of time, you may lose your tooth. Try and visit your dentist as soon as possible to receive proper care and attention for the infection.
Dentists may use a variety of methods to help cure your abscess. But initially, they will need to drain it.
Depending on the location of the abscess is will determine whether you need further treatment, such as a root canal.
Root Canal to Save My Teeth
The first line of defense is a filling, but if the tooth decay is serious you may need a root canal. But you can only do this if the root is still healthy. If not, there is no choice but to extract the rotten tooth.
With a root canal, the dentist will drill down the tooth to clean out the decay. Most will need a crown to protect the root from further problems. But remember, the tooth is practically dead, this method will preserve the tooth but not bring it back to life.
Dealing with a Dead Tooth
A dead tooth is a tooth that no longer has access to a blood supply from the root. This may happen through trauma or an infection. If you have a tooth that's a different color from the rest, the blood supply may become restricted.
A root canal may be able to save a dead tooth, but it depends how long the restriction of blood flow was. Teeth can actually die within a few hours. So if you notice your tooth is becoming discolored, book an emergency appointment immediately.
If you've missed the time frame and are unable to save your teeth, don't worry! You don't have to walk around toothless. You have two main options that can help to replace your smile:
- Implants
- Dentures
Implants
are a permanent option that can only a professional can remove. Because none of the surrounding teeth will need modifying, implants work well for either one missing tooth or several.
An implant is a titanium post that replaces a tooth root. The dentist will insert the implant into your jawbone. Once secure, they will insert replacement teeth.
Dentures are removable and economical. They work well for people who have several teeth missing.
Conventional dentures are a full set of teeth, but you have to wait for your mouth to heal before inserting them. Immediate dentures, as the names suggest, are dentures you can insert immediately after having your teeth removed. Overdentures sit on top of any remaining teeth.
