Your teeth, just like your smile, is a part of your identity. Nothing compares to the way your own natural teeth, look, feel, and function.
It’s important to take care of your teeth the same way you would take care of your skin. This is something that ages with you! This means pay attention to the basics, flossing, brushing, mouthwash, and regular check-ups. Just like your skin, your teeth sometimes can have a “blemish” or in your teeth cause an infection. I believe the old saying is “if it’s not broken don’t fix it”, which is the same for teeth! Why pull a perfectly good tooth when you can take proper precautions to fix it!
Getting your natural tooth pulled may seem like a good idea, as you may think it will save you money, time, and pain. However, this can cause you more struggle in the long run. As we said before, nothing functions the same as your natural tooth. Having your tooth extracted can lead to multiple issues that will impact the quality of your life in the long-term
- Diminished biting force creating issues with chewing and eating food
- Altered occlusion or changes in the way your teeth come together
- Shifting of your teeth creating gaps or crowding
- Loss of vertical facial dimension causing your facial skin particularly the nasolabial fold area to sag and drop.
Here are some tips for saving your natural teeth:
- Maintain good oral hygiene practices – brush twice/day and floss once/day.
- Visit your general dentist every six months for preventative care and treatment to avoid premature loss of your teeth.
- Use a customized mouth guard if you grind your teeth to prevent wear and fracture.
- Consider a root canal over-extraction if you have adequate remaining tooth structure. Nothing feels the same as your own teeth!
- Feeling symptoms of swelling or pain? Act right away!
- If a dentist tells you that you may need to pull your tooth, ask if there are any alternative options such as a root canal.
- If a root canal is an option consider speaking with an endodontist who specializes in this type of treatment
- Even if you have a previous root canal that has become compromised you have additional options prior to having the tooth extracted including re-treatment and apical surgery
With the aid of endodontic treatment, you can maintain a natural and healthy smile! Proper oral hygiene and dental care can allow you to keep your teeth for a lifetime. Root canals have a 95% success rate and are an excellent option to preserve your dentition. Always remember, your teeth are a part of your identity so why buy a new car if you can just fix the engine!