Prevent tooth loss
Most teeth that are lost could have been kept with earlier care. These steps give your teeth the best chance.
1. Act on early signs
See a dentist soon if you notice:
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the food or drink is gone
- Pain or tenderness when you chew
- A tooth that is turning darker
- Swelling or tenderness in the gum near a tooth
An infected tooth does not always hurt. Regular check-ups with X-rays catch problems you cannot feel.
2. Finish the job after a root canal
A crown or filling placed late, or one that leaks, lets germs back into the tooth. It is one of the most common reasons root canals fail. Get the final restoration done on time and come for your yearly check X-ray.
3. Ask before an extraction
A tooth that has been removed cannot be put back. If you have been told a tooth must go, a specialist opinion first may save it. Read more.
4. Protect your teeth from injury
Wear a mouthguard for contact sports. If a tooth is knocked out or broken, act within the first hour.
5. Daily care
Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth every day. It protects natural teeth and teeth that have had root canals alike.