Episode: Lost a Tooth? Here’s What To Do

🎙️ Bite-Sized Dental | Episode: Lost a Tooth? Here’s What To Do
Hosts: Dr Bing Lee & Glenn Hartas

Transcript

Glenn Hartas
Way FM 105.3 – Your positive alternative. Hello, you’ve got Glenn here. The Morning Show is brought to you by our station sponsor, Innova Dental, located in Prospect and Launceston. Dr. Bing joins me weekly on Mondays and Fridays, and on this occasion, I decided to go down to Innova Dental and have a chat with Dr. Bing about what to do if you lose a tooth.

So, Dr. Bing, losing a tooth—or multiple teeth—can feel like the end of the world for some. Can you explain what happens when someone loses a tooth?

Dr. Bing
This is a great question, Glenn. Tooth loss doesn’t just affect appearance—it can also impact your overall health. What happens when you lose a tooth is that the surrounding teeth, which normally sit in alignment, begin to shift. I usually describe it to patients like a bookshelf: when one book is removed, the others start to lean and fall into that space.

This shifting causes misalignment and other issues. Over time, patients can experience problems with speech, chewing, and even digestion because they’re not able to properly break down food.

Another common issue is that, if patients wait too long to address the tooth loss, they also begin to lose bone in the area. So when they eventually come in asking about replacement options—like dental implants—we sometimes find there's not enough bone left to support an implant. This makes treatment more complex and difficult down the track. So yes, losing a tooth triggers a chain of events, and many patients aren’t aware of the long-term impacts.

Glenn Hartas
That doesn’t sound good at all. But why does tooth loss happen in the first place?

Dr. Bing
There are a few reasons why someone might lose a tooth. The most common cause in adults is gum disease, also known as periodontitis. This happens when bacteria in the mouth aren’t properly managed with good oral hygiene and regular maintenance visits. The bacteria affect the bone supporting the tooth, causing it to shrink. Eventually, the tooth becomes loose and may fall out.

Another reason is tooth decay or cavities. When decay is left untreated, it progresses into the nerve at the center of the tooth. At that point, it becomes much harder to save, and in some cases, the tooth breaks off and becomes unsalvageable.

Trauma is another cause—such as accidents, sports injuries, or even fights—where the tooth is hit and damaged. In rare cases, a tooth can be completely knocked out, which is very difficult to treat.

Then we have poor oral hygiene in general. If someone doesn’t brush or floss properly, they’re more likely to develop gum disease and tooth decay, which increases the risk of tooth loss.

Lastly, everyone has a different risk level. I often explain it like high blood pressure or diabetes—some people can get away with very little maintenance and be fine, while others have to work really hard to keep their teeth healthy. That’s why regular check-ups are so important—to assess your personal risk and create a plan to protect your teeth.

Glenn Hartas
That’s a wide range of causes. So tooth loss isn’t always preventable—but there are steps people can take to reduce their risk, right?

Dr. Bing
Definitely. Good oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups, and catching problems early are key. The earlier we treat an issue, the easier and more affordable it is. Preventing a problem or dealing with it while it’s still small—before something like a tooth fracture happens—is always the better option.

Glenn Hartas
If someone does lose a tooth, what’s the next step?

Dr. Bing
It’s really important to seek advice quickly. The earlier we address it, the better your options are for replacement and preventing further complications. Like I mentioned earlier, if too much time passes, you can lose bone in the area, and that makes replacing the tooth much more difficult and expensive.

Glenn Hartas
And if someone does lose a tooth, what can Innova Dental do to help?

Dr. Bing
We offer a range of solutions, and the best option really depends on your individual situation. But broadly speaking, there are three main options:

First, a dental implant. This is a one-for-one replacement where we place a titanium root into the jaw, let it heal, then place a tooth on top. It looks and functions like a natural tooth.

Second, we might recommend a bridge, particularly if the teeth on either side of the gap are already broken down or need treatment. A bridge consists of three crowns linked together. The teeth on either side help support the replacement tooth in the middle. The benefit here is that it’s less invasive—no surgery—and we can often restore multiple teeth at once. The downside is that if one of the supporting teeth has issues later on, it can affect the entire bridge.

Third, a denture. This is a cost-effective way to replace multiple missing teeth. It’s not the ideal solution in terms of comfort or aesthetics, as the material is minimal and can move around a bit—but it’s a great option for people on a budget or those looking to replace several teeth at once.

At Innova Dental, we have practitioners who can offer all of these solutions. When you come in, we’ll chat about what works best for your goals and your budget.

Glenn Hartas
So what I’m hearing, Dr. Bing, is that no matter the problem—there’s always hope for restoring your smile.

Dr. Bing
Absolutely. With the dental advancements we have today and the technology at Innova Dental, there are solutions for everyone. Our goal isn’t just to restore your smile, but also your confidence and quality of life. There’s always an option—it just starts with a conversation to figure out what’s best for your unique needs.