15% of the adult population in Australia suffer from severe tooth loss; this is mainly a result of untreated tooth decay. Tooth decay is common in Australia amongst both adults and children. Almost 50% of adults admit to not taking proper care of their teeth; for example, they do not brush before they go to sleep at night, and this is a huge cause of tooth decay. Other causes include a diet high in sugar, smoking, drinking and avoiding the dentist.
Preventing tooth decay
You can prevent tooth decay by maintaining a healthy diet, drinking water instead of sugary drinks, brushing your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day to remove any leftover food and plaque from between the teeth. If you are a smoker, you must speak to your dentist or doctor about smoking cessation. Not only does smoking affect your dental health, but it can also lead to tooth loss and a range of other life-threatening health complications. The earlier you quit smoking, the fewer complications you will face.
Drinking more than you should is also something that you need to control to prevent dental health complications and missing teeth. Drinks such as white wine, beer and cider can be very acidic and damage the tooth enamel, resulting in cavities and tooth decay, with symptoms such as pain and sensitivity. Spirits such as vodka and whiskey are very high in alcohol, which reduces the flow of saliva, making your mouth dry and increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It is important to drink alcohol in moderation, and if possible, you should avoid it completely.
Visiting the dentist
Finally, you need to make sure that you visit your dentist at least once every six months so that any cavities or signs of tooth decay can be detected early on. In this way, the signs can be reversed through good dental hygiene, improving your diet and making better lifestyle choices. If the cavity becomes larger, you will need a filling, and if you avoid dental checkups, the cavity will reach the dental pulp and result in tooth decay. Tooth decay must be treated by a dentist to prevent tooth loss. However, if it is too late, your tooth will either fall out or you will need to undergo a tooth extraction.
Missing teeth can have a range of implications for your life, affecting the appearance of your smile and significantly impacting your dental health. You need to speak to your dentist if you have a missing tooth or need to undergo a tooth extraction and find out about possible replacement options as soon as possible. The quicker you address missing teeth, the more options you will have and the easier the process will be.
Dental implants
Speak to your dentist about dental implants Sydney. Dental implants are the gold standard in tooth replacement for missing teeth either as a result of tooth decay, gum disease, a genetic condition or an injury.
Dental implants are a fixed and permanent tooth replacement option that can be used for patients of all ages as long as they have healthy gums and jawbones to hold the implants in place. Implants are particularly suitable for patients who have lost their teeth earlier in life. The implantation process can take between four and nine months, depending on your dental needs. Some patients can have a tooth replaced immediately, while other patients may have to wait for the area to heal before they can undergo surgery.
Some may need bone grafting before the surgery while others have healthy jawbones and can undergo the surgery immediately. Your dentist will put together a tailored treatment plan for you. One implant can replace up to three adjacent missing teeth, whereas several implants would be necessary if multiple teeth need to be replaced in different parts of the mouth. If you want to replace all of your teeth, then you can learn about implant-retained dentures, and you will need approximately eight implants to completely transform your mouth.
Speak to your dentist today to know whether you are eligible for dental implants. If so, as mentioned earlier, the sooner you begin the process, the fewer complications you will face. Tooth loss can affect the function of your mouth; therefore, you must replace missing teeth quickly to avoid the consequences and prevent further missing teeth.
Disclaimer
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
