What To Do if You Lose a Tooth

    PHOENIX, AZ, April 15, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- If you lose a tooth due to trauma, there are steps you can take to save your natural tooth and help prevent tooth replacement with an artificial tooth. Should your tooth get knocked out, inspect it to make sure it is still in one piece. If it is broken, it will not be possible to preserve your natural tooth.

If your tooth is healthy and in one piece, wash it off with cool or room temperature water. Don't scrub it or use any medications or infectants on it. This will help remove any bacteria that may have come into contact with your tooth when it fell out. Once your tooth is rinsed clean, it is also important to rinse your mouth with water to remove debris and dirt, before pushing the tooth back into place. You may need to hold it in place while you arrange for emergency dental care. Call immediately, as the dentist needs to see you right away and get you started on antibiotics and stabilize the tooth by splinting it to the adjacent teeth to hold it in place.

If emergency dental care is not immediately available try to get the tooth back into the socket. If this is not possible, keep the tooth moist by placing your tooth in cold water or milk until you get to the dentist. You need to get to the dentist within 2 hours to have success in reimplanting the tooth if it is not put in immediately. The sooner the better.

Tooth Replacement Options

If your natural tooth cannot be saved or if it was lost due to decay or infection, you may need to look at a tooth replacement option. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers several options for tooth replacement. Working with an experienced dentist in your area, a thorough exam will allow him to recommend the option that will best meet your dental needs.
Options for tooth replacement include:

- Dentures or partial dentures
- Dental bridges
- Dental implants

Dental implants and dental bridges will both require the use of dental crowns. Dental implants are often preferable because they do not rely on adjacent teeth for support, but this may not be an option for every patient.

The option best for you will depend on factors such as the health of adjacent teeth, the depth of your jawbone, and your personal needs and desires. Your dentist will be able to help you determine what solution is best for you and provide you with a smile that is strong, healthy, and beautiful.

If you have lost a tooth in or around Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, or Scottsdale, Arizona, please visit the website of Scott Lesueur, D.D.S. & Charles Dodaro, D.D.S. for more information on preserving your natural tooth and your alternative tooth replacement options at www.drsofsmiles.com.

# # #