Madison Dentist Smile Blog

Seek immediate dental care. Time is critical, so contact a dentist or an emergency dental clinic right away. Explain the situation and try to get an appointment as soon as possible. They will provide further guidance and treatment options. 

By age 50, the average American has lost 12 permanent teeth to decay, gum disease, or injury. "Your mouth is the first organ of your digestive system. Missing teeth affect not just your appearance but your overall health," says Dr. German Gallucci, executive director of the Harvard Dental Center. If you’ve had a permanent tooth fall out, follow these steps to prevent permanent damage to your mouth.

• Recover your tooth - Do NOT grab the root. While it may be difficult, make sure to only handle the crown part of your lost tooth to avoid any additional damage.

• Rinse the tooth - Use water, milk or a saline solution to clean off the tooth. If using saline, make sure it is sterile. Do not wipe or scrub the tooth, just gently rinse off the root and crown.

• Reinsert your tooth into the empty socket - Putting your tooth back in may work and at the very least will keep the root protected. Hold the tooth in place by gently biting down on medical gauze or soft fabric. The pressure will keep your tooth from moving too much. Still see a dentist or doctor if you've successfully reinserted your tooth. 

• Protect the tooth - If reinsertion doesn’t work, keep the tooth in a glass of milk or saline solution. Water will not preserve your tooth. If you don’t have any milk or saline solution, place the tooth in your mouth between your cheek and gums.

• Go to a dentist- The faster you get to a dentist, the better chance you have of restoring your tooth. In the event a dentist is unavailable, go to an emergency room. Bring your tooth with you so they may try reinsertion.

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What causes the loss of teeth in adults?

There are several reasons why adults may lose their teeth. Here are the top five reasons:

• Poor oral hygiene: Neglecting regular dental care, such as brushing and flossing, can lead to the buildup of plaque and tartar, causing tooth decay and gum disease. If left untreated, these conditions can progress, leading to tooth loss.

• Gum disease (periodontal disease): Gum disease is a common cause of tooth loss in adults. It begins with gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums due to plaque buildup. If left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, which affects the tissues and bones supporting the teeth, ultimately leading to tooth loss.

• Tooth decay (cavities): Untreated tooth decay can lead to the destruction of the tooth structure, causing the tooth to become weak and eventually resulting in tooth loss. Poor oral hygiene, a high sugar diet, and irregular dental check-ups contribute to the development of tooth decay.

• Trauma or injury: Accidents, sports injuries, or other forms of facial trauma can result in the loss of teeth. Severe impact or force can cause teeth to break, become dislodged, or even be knocked out completely.

• Dental conditions and diseases: Certain dental conditions or diseases can lead to tooth loss. For example, severe bruxism (teeth grinding), untreated infections, oral cancer, or genetic conditions that affect tooth development can result in the loss of teeth.

Tooth loss is often preventable through good oral hygiene practices, regular dental check-ups, and early treatment of dental problems. If you are experiencing any dental issues, consult with a dentist to receive appropriate care and prevent further tooth loss.

What Happens if a Permanent Tooth Falls Out?

Losing a tooth as an adult can be an incredibly stressful experience. Your tooth can fall out from decay in the root or an accidental sports injury. 

A lost tooth isn’t just bad for your smile, it's bad for your oral health. An empty socket in the gums is at high risk for infection, and the teeth nearest to the gap may shift to “fill in.” Losing multiple teeth only increases the potential long-term damage to your mouth. Our team of dentists in Madison can help keep your teeth healthy and in their proper place.

How to Protect Your Teeth

One of the most common ways adults lose teeth is through sports accidents. Tackling, tumbling, or roughhousing can lead to an accidental hit to the jaw. Always use a mouthguard while participating in contact sports. Teeth can also fall out as a result of trauma, from car accidents or even tripping on the ground.

If your tooth was not knocked out completely and feels “loose,” visit your dentist as soon as possible. An adult loose tooth may be a sign of root decay or infection. The sooner you have your dental problems assessed by our Madison dentists, the sooner your mouth can get back to normal. If possible, avoid eating during this time to keep your tooth from falling out or being swallowed.

Use healthy dental habits to prevent losing a tooth from decay. Brush twice daily, floss at least once a day and schedule regular checkups with Total Care Dental to prevent tooth loss. If your lost tooth is too damaged or reinsertion does not work, our restorative dental implants will bring back the smile you know and love and keep your mouth healthy. After restorative work is finished, you may want some cosmetic procedures to ensure your new smile looks great.

If your child loses an adult tooth, follow the same steps as above and bring them to a dentist right away. There is a greater chance for children’s mouths to recover completely if the tooth is reinserted correctly.

Implants & Bridges

The preferred choice for replacing a single tooth is often a dental implant. To ensure proper support for the implanted tooth, careful preparation is necessary, including assessing the amount of bone in the intended placement area. This evaluation is essential to guarantee adequate support for the replacement tooth. If you lose a tooth and don’t have it replaced, the supporting bone will begin to degrade and melt away. The remaining teeth then begin to shift in order to fill the empty space. A good choice for replacing multiple teeth is a dental bridge, which involves artificial teeth fused to a metal frame. This frame is securely bonded to either implants or healthy teeth that have been protected by crowns, providing stability and support for the bridge.

Have you lost a tooth and need dental assistance? Contact Total Care Dental in Madison.