Losing a tooth can happen for a lot of reasons. It might happen after your tooth has been decayed for a time or you have had gum problems for years. You can also lose a tooth because of an injury, infection or just because you are getting older. Losing a tooth can make eating feel different. It can affect the way you talk or smile. The good thing about losing teeth is that there are ways to replace missing teeth and the right way to replace depends on your mouth, your overall dental health and what you need every day to live with a missing tooth.

Common Reasons Teeth Fall Out

Tooth loss does not always happen suddenly. Sometimes the problem has been going on for a long time before you even notice it. Some common reasons of losing tooth are:

• Tooth decay is a reason people lose teeth. When tooth decay gets really bad and goes into the tooth the tooth cannot be fixed and it has to be removed.

• Gum disease is another thing that can cause you to lose a tooth. As gum disease gets worse it can hurt the tissues and bone that keep your teeth in place. After a while the tooth can get so loose that it falls out or has to be taken out.

• You can also lose a tooth if you get hurt. If you get hit in the mouth while playing sports or you fall down it can crack your tooth. Even knock it out.

• Some people lose teeth because they get a bad infection, have a certain medical condition or because their teeth are worn out from using them for a long time. 

What Happens After Tooth Loss?

A missing tooth is not just an empty space. The teeth that are next to it may start moving towards the gap because there is no tooth beside them. The bone in your jaw can also start to get smaller in that area because it does not get the amount of pressure from chewing food. This does not mean that every missing tooth will cause problems but having a gap for a long time can make it harder to fix later on.

That is why dentists like to look at your mouth before they suggest a way to replace the missing tooth. They care about the condition of your gums, other teeth and the bone in your jaw.

Dental Bridges Fill The Gap

The dental bridge is another solution that can be chosen to fill in the gap caused by missing teeth. Bridges have the benefit of being fixed and staying in the same place. Moreover, there is no need to take them out during meals or dental hygiene procedures.

One thing to keep in mind is that the supporting teeth may need to be prepared to hold the bridge. Good brushing, flossing and regular dental visits are important for keeping the area healthy.

Dentures Offer Another Option

Dentures are things that you can take out of your mouth. They are made to replace teeth that are missing. You can get dentures for the top of your mouth, the bottom of your mouth or both. If you still have some of your teeth you might get a partial denture. If you do not have any teeth you will get a complete denture. Dentures are something that takes time to get used to. When you first start wearing dentures, talking and eating might feel a bit weird. After using dentures for a while people get comfortable. You have to take care of your dentures because food and bacteria can get stuck around them.

Dental Implants Work Differently

Dental implants work in a different way because they replace the tooth both below the gumline and above it. A tiny implant is put into the jawbone. Can hold a crown, bridge or denture. In some situations a person might need treatment before getting an implant.

Implants are not always the option for every person. A dentist will look at things, like bone health, gum health, how well someone keeps their mouth clean and how many teeth need to be replaced.

Which Option Makes Sense?

Every person is different when it comes to replacing teeth.  A dentist will do a lot of things to figure out what you need. They will take X-rays of your teeth, look at your gums, check how your teeth fit together and look at the teeth near the one. Your budget is important too.You need to consider your budget and the type of dental restoration that you would be willing to settle for. It would also help to understand how long each dental restoration lasts and what is needed to maintain it. If you know these things before you make a decision it will be a lot easier to choose what is best for you. 

Final Thoughts

Missing teeth can happen because of decay, gum disease, accidents, infections and many other reasons. Luckily today's dentistry has methods to replace missing teeth. These include bridges, dentures and dental implants. The best choice depends on why the teeth were lost and how your mouth is doing. If you want to learn more about your choices Montclair Dental Spa is a place to get expert advice before making a decision. It is a place to get expert advice before making a decision.