When was the last time you thought about your gums? Believe it or not, they can offer important clues about your oral health. Here are a few things you shouldn’t ignore.
Losing teeth as children can be an exciting time, assuming it’s a “baby” tooth that brings a visit from the Tooth Fairy. That’s because it’s completely normal for these teeth to fall out to make room for up to 32 permanent teeth, or “adult” teeth.
As their name indicates, permanent teeth should remain in place for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, more than 5 million children and adults knock one or more of their adult teeth out of position each year. But, even if you lose an adult tooth because of an injury or trauma, it may not be lost for good.
Peter Gambertoglio, DDS, brings more than 30 years of dental experience to the community of Spring, Texas. He recommends taking these steps immediately if you dislodge a permanent tooth.
When you act fast, you can sometimes re-implant a permanent tooth. That means you should consider it a dental emergency when you lose an adult tooth and contact us as soon as possible for an appointment.
After losing a tooth, quickly rinse it with water to clean it. Then, try putting it back in the empty socket, but don’t force it. When handling a lost tooth, only touch the crown — or the chewing surface — not the root.
If you can’t get your tooth back in its socket, you should still save it and keep it moist until your dental appointment. Dr. Gambertoglio recommends putting it in your cheek or a container of cold milk or saliva. Don’t wrap a lost tooth in a tissue or store it in water, contact lens solution, or yogurt.
While waiting for your appointment, you can manage your pain by applying a cold compress to the part of your face where you lost your tooth. Dr. Gambertoglio also suggests taking an over-the-counter pain reliever or anti-inflammatory medication, as directed.
A knocked-out tooth has the highest chance of successful re-implantation when you get dental attention within an hour. However, there are other ways to replace a missing tooth, including dental implants.
When you get a dental implant, Dr. Gambertoglio secures a titanium post into your jaw, which acts as a synthetic tooth root. This structure holds a dental crown to replace the visible portion of your missing tooth. Not only do dental implants provide a more secure fit and natural appearance than other replacement options, but they also maintain your oral health by continuing to stimulate bone growth, just like natural tooth roots.
Have you lost a tooth? Don’t wait to see a dental professional. Contact our office by calling 281-350-8852.
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