Tooth loss happens to more people than you might think, but it doesn’t have to spell the end of your smile. Whether you’ve lost one tooth, many teeth, or all your teeth, there are options available to restore your smile – and your confidence. Today, our team of top dentists in Maidstone, Kent will explain just what to do if you have tooth loss.

Reasons for tooth loss

First, let’s look at the reasons why you might have lost a tooth (or teeth).

Injury: In some cases, it’s a simple accident or a case of trauma that’s led to the missing tooth. This could be anything from a fall to a sporting injury to an emergency.
Ilness: some illnesses are risk factors for tooth loss, which means it’s more likely to happen.
Neglect: if you haven’t been caring for your smile properly, it may have led to gum disease, where the gums can recede away from the teeth and they can become loose.

As you can see, it’s not always the patient’s fault when tooth loss occurs.

How to prevent lost teeth

Here are some suggestions for keeping your mouth, teeth and gums healthy and preventing tooth loss from occurring.

Protection: wearing a mouthguard during contact sports is essential, and can help prevent damage to the delicate tissues and structures of the mouth if an accident does occur.
Medication: if illness is a reason behind your tooth loss, there may be medicines available that can combat these side effects. Always speak to your doctor about this.
Routine: with the right oral care, your smile will stay healthy and sparkling. Brush and floss twice daily for two minutes a time, and ensure you regularly book dental appointments to assess and clean your smile.

How to treat tooth loss

Thankfully, in the majority of cases, tooth loss can be corrected and treated. Here are some options for lost teeth.

Dentures: you can have one full set or both sets of teeth replaced with dentures. These fit snugly in your mouth with denture adhesive. You’ll need to clean your dentures just as you would your natural teeth.
Appliances: dental appliances can include bridges, crowns and more. Again, these need caring for.
Dental implants: also known as tooth implants, these are false teeth that are permanently implanted into your jawbone. They need good standards of oral care to ensure longevity.

Talk to our dentists today

We’d love to help you on your journey to a happy and healthy smile. Talk to our experts in Maidstone, Kent today for a personal consultation