Tooth loss can impact several areas of your life. It can compromise your chewing ability, hurt your self-esteem, cause bone shrinkage, and lead to additional tooth loss through shifting and wear.
We lose a tooth for a number of different reasons including:
- Extraction due to severe damage or chronic infection
- Bone loss—often brought by tooth loss
- Advance periodontal disease
- Trauma or untreated root infections and decay
At Chesapeake Bay Dentistry, our top dentist in Annapolis, MD, provides gentle extractions when a tooth is damaged beyond repair—including numbing agents, nitrous oxide, and oral sedation.
Nitrous oxide is a safe gas that creates detached and relaxing feelings, allowing the dentist to complete your procedure. It wears off immediately after. Oral sedation is a pill you take prior to your procedure. With this method, you are not likely to recall your treatment, and you will need transportation.
In the case of a missing tooth, a dental bridge offers a practical solution for you.
A dental bridge suspends a restorative tooth between two healthy teeth by relying on dental crowns anchored to these healthy teeth.
We always make sure your bridge blends with your smile and that it gives a natural-looking appearance to your teeth.
Caring for Your Restorations
Dental bridges and crowns require regular cleanings to help prevent gum disease. Tools may include smaller brushes and floss threaders for debris removal around your bridge, especially at the gum line.
For crowns alone, you simply brush and floss as usual.
With any prosthetic, it is crucial to visit the dentist for exams and teeth cleanings to prevent gum disease or other infections that can lead to restoration loss.
Dr. Polizois will provide more customized instructions to help you get the most out of your crowns and bridges, and our team is always available to answer any questions that you may have about restorative dentistry.
Lowering Your Risks for Future Tooth Loss
Lowering your risks for preventable dental conditions, including cavities and infections, starts with excellent dental care on a schedule. It’s important to visit your dentist twice yearly for exams and teeth cleanings. This is also the timeframe recommended by the American Dental Association.
If you have an ongoing condition like gum disease, we typically suggest a more customized schedule to control the symptoms and to prevent tooth loss. We may also recommend a specific brushing and flossing routine at home.
Exams spot potential problems early, and professional teeth cleanings get rid of the bacteria and tartar that can lead to infections, decay, gingivitis, gum disease, and eventually tooth loss.
For your part, we recommend brushing and flossing at least twice daily, quitting smoking, and avoiding acidic and sugary foods and beverages. If you do indulge, it’s important to clean your teeth afterward. Also, never go to bed with debris on your teeth.
If you grind and clench your teeth, talk to your dentist about a nightguard, and do not participate in rough sports—or sports that involve a ball—without the proper face gear or mouthguard.
If you notice oral health changes between visits, it’s important to contact our dental office immediately.
At Chesapeake Bay Dentistry, your oral health is always our top priority.
At Chesapeake Bay Dentistry, we want to help you maintain a healthy and attractive smile, and we understand that teeth sometimes need replacement and support.
