Dental technology and treatments have come a long way over the years, but there are times when it is just not possible to save a tooth. Severe infections, breaks, or advanced gum disease are all potential reasons why your dentist may recommend having a tooth removed. While you may not be able to save this tooth, your immediate actions following an extraction make a huge difference in you being able to preserve the rest of your smile. Be sure to follow these steps to begin the process of healing completely after your tooth extraction procedure.
Clarify Your Post-Op Recovery Plan
Ideally, you should be clear about the things you need to do during your recovery before you leave the dental office. For instance, you may need to avoid behaviors such as smoking or sucking on a straw until the extraction site has fully healed. Your dentist may also recommend eating soft foods for the first day or two, and you may be provided with medications to lower the swelling. Be sure that you understand these recommendations and follow them once you get home. Each part of your recovery treatment plan is designed to minimize the risk of infections that could affect your other teeth.
Follow Through with the Tooth Replacement
Unfortunately, people sometimes opt to skip replacing teeth that are not located in the immediate smile zone. However, even back teeth affect the alignment of the teeth that you can see in the front. Tooth replacement is a component of family dentistry that involves using different methods to fill in the gap left behind by a lost tooth. Whether you opt for a single tooth implant or require a bridge, make sure that you begin the replacement treatment as soon as your dentist says that you are ready. This helps to eliminate problems such as your teeth shifting out of place or breakage caused by having too much of your biting forces applied to the wrong point of a tooth.
Address the Underlying Issues for Your Tooth Loss
In most cases, teeth do not require an extraction without a serious underlying reason. General family dental services such as deep cleanings, root canals, and fillings can all help you to fix the issues that are going on in your mouth so that your first lost tooth does not lead to more. For instance, severe gum disease could create infections around your other teeth and getting the problem under control helps to stop the progression.
With a little effort and help from your dentist, you can make sure that your first lost tooth is the only one that you experience. While you cannot turn back the hands of time, you can move forward with renewed hope for the future when you know how to immediately begin the process of preserving the rest of your beautiful smile.
