A young boy after losing two baby teeth, forced out by adult teeth underneath, which will grow through the gums to take their place.

Tooth loss is when one or more teeth come loose and fall out. Tooth loss is normal for deciduous teeth (baby teeth), when they are replaced by a person's adult teeth. See also Deciduous. "Baby teeth" redirects here For the band of that name see Baby Teeth (band. Permanent teeth are the second set of Teeth formed in humans There are thirty-two permanent teeth consisting of six Maxillary and six mandibular Otherwise, losing teeth is undesirable and is the result of injury or disease, such as mouth trauma, tooth injury, tooth decay, and gum disease. Dental caries is a disease that damages Tooth structures resulting in what is commonly called tooth decay or cavities which are holes in the teeth The condition of being toothless or missing one or more teeth, is called edentulism. Edentulism is the condition of being Toothless to at least some degree it is the result of Tooth loss.

Prevention of tooth loss

Tooth loss due to tooth decay and gum disease may be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene, and regular check-ups (twice per year) at the dentist's office. Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping the Mouth and Teeth clean in order to prevent dental problems and bad breath. Dentistry' is the "evaluation diagnosis prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical surgical or related procedures of diseases disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity

In contact sports, risk of mouth trauma and tooth injury is reduced by wearing mouthguards and helmets with a facemask (e. A mouthguard is protective wear that fits into the Mouth and covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injury to the teeth arches lips and gums g. , football helmet, and goalie mask). A football helmet is a protective device used primarily in American football and Canadian football, the modern hard plastic version of which was created by A goalie mask is a Mask worn by an Ice hockey Goaltender to protect the head from Injury.

Missing tooth replacement

There are three basic ways to replace a missing tooth or teeth, including a fixed dental bridge, dentures, and dental implants. A dental bridge, otherwise known as a fixed partial denture is a Prosthesis used to replace missing Teeth and is not removable by the patient Dentures are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth and which are supported by surrounding soft and hard tissues of the Oral cavity. A dental implant is an Artificial tooth root replacement and is used in prosthetic Dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth

See also

• Teeth cleaning
  • Tooth brushing
  • Flossing
  • Tongue Cleaning
• Dental surgery
• Wisdom tooth

External links

• Avulsed tooth: What to do
• Tooth injury