It is important that you look after your dental health by maintaining an excellent hygiene routine throughout your life to prevent dental complications in the future. Even as a child, it is important to visit the dentist regularly so that the dentist can monitor the adult teeth as they erupt and align themselves in the mouth. After that, you should visit the dentist at least once every six months to prevent excess plaque and tartar from developing on the teeth and make sure that your mouth is free of tooth decay or gum disease. Tooth decay and gum disease can be treated if detected early on, but if left ignored, both conditions can result in tooth loss.
Tooth loss can have a significant impact on all aspects of your life; this is because a missing tooth can have a huge impact on the appearance of your smile, changing the appearance of your face completely and making you look older than you really are. This may leave you feeling embarrassed and self-conscious, and studies show that many patients even go on to develop social anxiety. By addressing your missing teeth sooner rather than later, you can save yourself the embarrassment and reduce the impact it can have on your mental health and well-being.
A missing tooth can also cause difficulty eating. You may not be able to eat your favourite food, and you may have difficulty biting or chewing, which can cause indigestion and other issues, including reduced nutritional intake. Depending on the position of the missing teeth, some patients find that their speech can be affected because they cannot pronounce certain words properly.
Tooth loss can also affect your remaining teeth. Firstly, missing teeth may cause pain and soreness in the mouth. The gap in your teeth may become irritated or infected, causing further pain and discomfort. Your remaining teeth may shift in position to fill the gap in your mouth; this can cause further complications and result in further tooth loss. Tooth loss must be addressed sooner rather than later to help prevent all of the above complications or reduce the impact they have on your life. Your dentist will be able to put together a treatment plan for you.
Dental implants
The best way to address missing teeth is with a dental implant Melbourne. Your dentist will need to find out whether you are eligible for dental implant surgery. They will carry out an x-ray or three-dimensional scan of your mouth to find out whether there is sufficient space in your jaw to hold the implant in place. You may need bone grafting for successful dental implant surgery, and this will be incorporated as part of your treatment plan. X-rays and scans can help your dentist determine the size of the implant you need to replace your missing tooth and how it will be positioned in your mouth. The surgery itself can be carried out three months after losing your tooth, and within a few more months, you should be able to attach a crown to the implant to replace the tooth permanently. Speak to your dentist in Melbourne today and 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.