If you’ve lost one or more teeth, then dental implants may be the best way to replace them. Not only do they rebuild your smile, but they even help reduce your risks of losing more teeth by keeping your jawbone strong and healthy. However, if you haven’t lost teeth yet, then preventing tooth loss is typically the better option for the sake of your long-term oral health. At our Santa Rosa, CA, dental office, we can help you rebuild your smile after tooth loss by performing implant placement and restoration at our office. We can also help you avoid the need for dental implants by helping you improve and maintain your healthy smile for life.
Understanding tooth loss better
There are many different possible reasons to lose a tooth, but the most common culprit is the presence of severe gum disease. If it’s allowed to develop and progress, the disease can destroy the gums and jawbone structure that your teeth need for support. However, you might lose a tooth if it’s severely infected and you neglect to treat it in time, or if the tooth becomes extremely damaged and cannot be saved with a dental crown or other restoration. Besides preventing dental diseases with good hygiene preventive practices, it’s also important to seek treatment for any dental issues that develop as soon as possible.
How to improve your chances of prevention
Because dental health issues, particularly gum disease, are the most common causes of tooth loss, preventing them or controlling them in their early stages are the most effective ways of avoiding it. Typically, that means diligently cleaning your teeth brushing them twice and flossing at least once every day. It also means attending regular checkup and cleaning appointments with your dentist. If an exam reveals the presence of gum disease, tooth decay, or other concern, then seek treatment for it as soon as possible to limit the damage it may cause to your teeth and oral tissues.
In case you do lose teeth
Despite their best efforts, some people may still lose teeth to a severe dental issue or accidental trauma. If it happens, then your risks of losing more teeth may increase exponentially until you replace the tooth with a lifelike prosthesis. For example, a dental implant-supported restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or denture, can rebuild your smile and stimulate your jawbone following the loss of your teeth roots.
Learn how to prevent tooth loss
Dental implants can help you replace any number of lost teeth, but if you haven’t lost them yet, then preserving your healthy, natural teeth is the better option. For more information about how to prevent tooth loss, schedule a consultation by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery in Santa Rosa, CA, today at 707-545-4625.