Why did my tooth fall out? What do I do?

While losing teeth can be a common problem, it can be avoided.

Why your tooth may have fallen out:

If your tooth did not fall out due to a sports injury, fall, or collision it can be from poor oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene can make you prone to cavities and gum disease. Not brushing and flossing regularly and putting off your routine hygiene cleanings can cause tartar to build-up. The build up can lead to mouth disease. Mouth and gum disease can wear down the bone that supports your teeth. When the bone wears down, your teeth can become loose and fall out.

Smoking, grinding your teeth, and using your teeth as a tool to open packages can also be responsible for tooth loss. Smoking weakens the body’s immunity and ability to heal. While continuous grinding can cause premature wear to your teeth.

How to prevent tooth loss

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes each, and floss daily. Be gentle when cleaning your mouth and switch to a new, soft bristled brush once your old one starts to become frayed.
  • Use a custom mouthguard is important if you are active in sports, whether contact or non-contact. Consult with your dentist if you’re experiencing teeth grinding. They may recommend a device to protect your teeth from further damage.
  • Don’t delay seeing your dentist. Checkups can help you determine issues early on and treat them before they progress. Preventative measures can keep your teeth in good health and also lower your dental costs.
  • Your teeth also need nutrition from the food that you eat. Eat sweets and starchy food in moderation. Include leafy greens and fruits in your meals. And avoid snacking throughout the day.
  • Don’t ever use your teeth as a tool. Wear dentist-approved oral devices to protect your teeth.

Remember to follow these steps if you ever experience a tooth falling out. If you take action immediately, your tooth has the best chance to be saved.

  1. Call our office immediately to schedule an emergency appointment.
  2. Clean your tooth by rinsing it with water to remove dirt and debris.
  3. Handle the surface of the tooth only. Don’t touch the root.
  4. Keep your tooth moist. Try putting the tooth back in it’s socket, if you can’t do that, put it in a cup of milk until you can see the dentist.

Time is critical when saving a tooth. The sooner you make it to the dental office, the better chance of getting it back in place.

How your dentist can fix it

Your dentist will take an x-ray and make sure your tooth is in the proper position. If the tooth can’t be put back into place, you have a few options to choose from; a denture, bridge, or dental implant.

Treatment options will help you restore your smile and avoid further oral problems. Missing a tooth is not just a esthetic problem. Missing teeth can cause many problems when it comes to eating and the overall health of your jaw. When you are missing a tooth, the integrity and structure of your mouth is impacted. This can lead to more missing teeth and eventual facial collapse. Prevention is the best route to take when it comes to keeping your natural teeth as long as possible. It’s the easiest, most affordable way to keep your smile functional and complete. Call our office today at (403) 257-1180 to schedule a consultation.