Top Signs You’re About To Lose A Tooth

Are you fighting bad breath that just won’t go away? Do your gums bleed after brushing them? Do your teeth feel extra sensitive or painful? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be experiencing signs of possible tooth loss.

Tooth loss is expected when we are children. Baby teeth fall out and make way for adult teeth. However, losing teeth when you are an adult is a different and potentially worrying experience. 

If you have loose teeth, you can do a few things to prevent them from falling out, such as improve your oral hygiene. For teeth that have already fallen out, you can replace them with dental implants, a permanent solution for missing teeth.

If you’re worried about loose teeth, here are a few warning signs to look out for.

Gum Disease

One of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults is gum disease. If your gums bleed regularly, even when you’re not brushing, it may be a sign of periodontal disease which can attack the bone. Consequently, our teeth will begin to loosen. Bleeding gums may also be a sign of gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease that causes swelling, redness and irritation of the gum at the base of your teeth (the gingiva).

You can do several things to try and avoid periodontal disease that can lead to adult tooth loss. These include:

• Visiting your dentist at least twice a year for a check-up and regular dental cleanings.
• Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time with fluoride toothpaste.
• Flossing once a day.
• Using antimicrobial mouthwash daily.

Bad Breath

There are numerous causes of bad breath or halitosis, such as coffee, alcohol and other types of food and drink. But bad breath that won’t go away no matter how much mouthwash you use could be caused by bacteria. The germs live in several places in the mouth, such as on the teeth and the tongue, and break down protein which releases a bad odor. Persistent bad breath may be a sign of gum disease. Left untreated, this could eventually lead to tooth loss.

A Loose or Shifting Tooth

This is perhaps the most obvious sign that you’re about to lose a tooth. When you were a child and had your baby teeth, it was probably fun to have a loose or wobbly tooth.

You may have played around with it with your tongue and helped it on its way. However, as an adult, there is nothing entertaining about a loose tooth. It will probably fall out eventually, and another one won’t grow in its place.

Tooth Fracture

A fracture in a tooth can be caused by trauma/injury and habitual tooth grinding(bruxism), among other factors. Depending on the location and depth of the fracture, the tooth could be about to fall out.

Pain

Tooth pain is always a sign that something is wrong. This is true even if you feel the pain once in a while. It doesn’t have to be a persistent pain. The cause could be due to tooth decay, gum disease or a crack on the surface of a tooth.

Missing Teeth Can Be Replaced

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, tooth loss is common among adults. Those aged 20 to 64 years have an average of 25.5 remaining teeth. The full adult complement of teeth is 32. 

• The mean number of permanent teeth for people aged 20-34 years is 27.
• The mean number of permanent teeth for people aged 35-49 years is 25.5.
• The mean number of permanent teeth for people aged 50-64 years is 23.4.

However, the good news is there’s no need to panic if one or more teeth fall out. If an entire tooth has fallen out, including the root, you may be able to save it if you get to the dentist quickly - ideally within 30 minutes.

For the best chance of saving the tooth, rinse it in cool water (do not scrape it) and try to put it back in its socket. Gently bite on gauze until you can get to the dental clinic. If you can’t get the tooth in the socket, place it in a cup of milk to keep it moist. If the tooth cannot be saved, you can replace it with a dental implant.

Reasons To Replace Missing Teeth

• You find it difficult to eat some foods.
• You’re experiencing speech problems.
• Increased risk of damaging other teeth.
• You’re self-conscious about your appearance.
• Greater likelihood of gum disease.

Dental Implants: The Permanent Tooth Replacement Solution

A dental implant is a permanent solution, an artificial tooth that looks and functions like a natural tooth. It is surgically placed into the jawbone and will stay securely in place. This is due to a natural process called osseointegration, where the bone surrounding the implant grows and fuses with it.

With the help of dental implants, you’ll get back your smile and be able to bite and chew normally again.

Whether you are looking to replace one tooth or your entire set of teeth, Chesterfield Dentistry can help. From replacing a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth, we provide permanent dental implant solutions.

For more information and to schedule an appointment, please get in touch with Chesterfield Dentistry today. You can contact us at (314) 936 3621.

Photo attribution: Drazen Zigic on Freepik