Losing a tooth as an adult can be a stressful situation to find yourself in but rest assured that you are not alone. Tooth loss is quite common in Australia. This is because many people do not look after their teeth properly and they avoid the dentist. It is important that you visit the dentist at least once every six months so that they will notice any signs of tooth decay or gum disease and will be able to treat them quickly before they result in missing teeth. Although missing teeth can be a huge nuisance in all aspects of your life, you will be pleased to know that missing teeth can be replaced successfully with dental implants Melbourne.
Dental implants Melbourne are the gold standard of tooth replacement. Dental implants Melbourne can be used by patients of all ages and are specifically designed for adult patients who have lost their teeth early on in life. Once in place dental implants are designed to last for the whole of your life therefore you need to speak to your dentist sooner rather than later to find out about replacing your missing teeth. Although they are an excellent piece of dental technology, nothing will ever be as good as the real thing so what’s better is if you visit your dentist on a regular basis from the onset so that you do not have to deal with missing teeth at all.
The main risk factors for tooth loss include poor dental hygiene and avoiding the dentist, tooth decay and gum disease. Another common risk factor for missing teeth includes dry mouth.
Poor dental hygiene
Poor dental hygiene is when you do not brush your teeth or look after them properly at home. Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day using a good fluoride toothpaste, floss at least once and rinse your mouth with a suitable mouthwash once or twice a day to help remove bacteria, lingering food particles and plaque from the surface of your teeth and inside of your mouth. if you do not brush your teeth properly then plaque builds up in your mouth and hardens to become tartar. If you avoid the dentist then tartar and the acids and toxins released by bacteria in the plaque can damage your teeth causing tooth decay and gum disease. Tooth decay and gum disease are the main causes of tooth loss in Australia and across the world. It is important that you visit your dentist at least once every six months and that you visit your hygienist as well for clean teeth and healthy gums.
The effects of having a dry mouth
You may suffer from a dry mouth as a result of many different reasons. Dry mouth can be caused by dehydration, if you do not drink enough water, if you sweat a lot or if you are unwell for example if you have a fever. Certain medications can cause a dry mouth. Breathing through your mouth at night for example if you have a blocked nose or you sleep with your mouth open can also cause your mouth to become dry. It is also common for your mouth to be dry if you are feeling anxious or nervous. If your mouth is dry then it increases the acidity of your mouth and results in a loss of minerals from the surface of the teeth, this results in a significant likelihood of developing cavities and tooth decay which can result in tooth loss. General dental treatments can protect your teeth and gums from the effects of dry mouth but if you ignore the dentist then this will result in missing teeth. Missing teeth have to be replaced with dental implants so you need to speak to your dentist to find out more.
Getting ready for dental implants
For patients who have lost their teeth as a result of tooth decay or gum disease, your dentist will need to make sure that your mouth is healthy before you can have dental implants. This means checking your remaining teeth for any signs of cavities and tooth decay. You will need to improve your dental hygiene to prevent further cavities or tooth decay from forming. If you have gum disease this will need to be treated as well. For patients with dry mouth your dentist will advise how you can increase saliva production and enjoy better dental health. After this you will be ready to replace your missing teeth. Once in place dental implants restore the function and appearance of your mouth and can last for the rest of your life if you look after your teeth carefully and visit the dentist on a regular basis. Speak to your dentist today to find out more.
Disclaimer
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
