Losing a permanent tooth is not something anyone wants to experience, but it’s a very common occurrence. By the age of 50, the number of teeth remaining is just 25.05 on average, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (this is compared to a full set of 32 teeth, or 28 if all four wisdom teeth have been removed). For adults aged 50-64, that number drops to 22.30. Additionally, one out of ten adults have no remaining teeth at all.
In short, losing permanent teeth is common, but it’s not ideal. If you’ve lost a permanent tooth or are about to, here’s what to know.
Emergency! What to Do When a Permanent Tooth is Knocked Out
Whether a tooth is knocked out due to a fall, blow to the mouth, or other accident, it should be treated as an emergency. Here’s what to do:
- Find the tooth. Handle it by the hard surface, not the pulpy root
- Rinse if it’s dirty. Rinse with saline solution, saliva, or milk – not water – if it appears dirty.
- Protect it. Place it back in its socket, or, if that’s not possible, keep it moist in a container of saline solution or milk – again, not water – or hold it in your mouth between your cheek and gums
- Seek help immediately. Call your regular dentist if the tooth has come out during business hours or search for an emergency after-hours dentist. If that’s not an option, go to the emergency department, but be aware that they likely do not have the ability to restore your tooth and will instead help stop any bleeding and prevent infection.
Once you’ve taken care of your emergency, follow up with your dentist to make sure the tooth has re-implanted successfully (if it was restored) or to discuss next steps (if it wasn’t).
Solutions for Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can cause issues with both functionality and appearance. Fortunately, there are a number of options to replace missing teeth that you can discuss with your dentist.
Dental bridges. A typical dental bridge is made up of a false replacement tooth with dental crowns on either side, allowing the replacement tooth to “bridge” the gap between the two natural teeth. Other types of bridges allow for the false tooth to be positioned without requiring natural teeth on both sides. They are fixed in the mouth and typically last anywhere from five to fifteen years.
Dentures. Dentures are removable appliances that can replace several missing teeth at once. Complete dentures replace all the upper or lower teeth, while partial dentures fit in with remaining teeth to replace only the missing teeth. On average, dentures may last about five years.
Taking Care of Your Teeth
Accidents happen and teeth are sometimes knocked out. Now you know what to do if that happens to you so you have the best chances of saving the tooth.
If you have lost a permanent tooth, speak to your dentist about replacement options. Not only will replacing lost teeth help with appearance, biting, and chewing, but it will improve oral health, too. Unfilled gaps in the gum line lead to underlying bone loss and allow surrounding teeth to shift over time. With so many durable, high-quality, and realistic options out there, you don’t have to live with missing teeth.