What to Do If You’re Missing a Front Tooth

A missing front tooth is distressing—it not only affects the way you look, but it can also be painful, impacting your ability to eat and speak with ease. Thankfully, you have options if you’ve lost a front tooth, and the team at Peak Family Dental Care can help restore your smile. Our dentists in Flagstaff, Cottonwood, and Sedona, AZ can explain the process for front tooth replacement and ensure you can smile brightly again. Here’s what to do if you have a missing front tooth.

1. Find the Tooth

If your tooth came out whole, try to recover it. Should you find it, hold it carefully by the crown (the top part) and avoid touching the root. Gently rinse the tooth with a saline solution, but never scrub it. If possible, try placing the tooth back into its socket and holding it in place using gauze.

2. Keep the Area Clean

A missing front tooth means the exposed gums are more vulnerable to infection. Rinse your mouth gently with saline or a mild saltwater solution to keep it clean. Take care not to brush or irritate the gap area.

3. Preserve the Tooth

Sometimes, reinserting the tooth isn’t feasible. Instead, you can place the recovered tooth into a container with milk or a saline solution to keep it moist. Don’t use plain water, as it may damage the tooth’s surface.

4. Call Your Dentist

Missing front teeth constitutes a dental emergency. Give us a call right away to schedule an appointment. Timely intervention can make a big difference in treatment outcomes—in some cases, the natural tooth can be saved!  

Permanent Solutions for a Missing Front Tooth

Once you arrive at our office, we can begin discussing missing tooth options. Fortunately, you’ll often have a few options for front tooth replacement, and we’ll work with you to find the best solution. Here are some treatments that may work for you:

Dental Implants

Dental implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement. While the procedure is more invasive than other restorative options, the final result feels and functions just like a natural tooth. What’s more, you’ll avoid bone loss, and your implants can last a lifetime with proper care. Dental implants are ideal for patients with healthy gums and sufficient bone density to support the implant.

Dental Bridges

Another tooth replacement option, a bridge involves replacing the missing teeth with artificial ones supported by healthy teeth. Dental bridges are a faster and more cost-effective alternative to implants. They don’t usually require surgery and result in a natural-looking smile. We often recommend bridges for those who don’t have enough bone structure for implants or wish to avoid the lengthy recovery process associated with surgery.

Dentures

Traditional and implant-supported dentures are both excellent options for front tooth replacement. Traditional dentures are the fastest way to restore your smile, but implant-supported dentures are a good choice for those who don’t mind a more intensive procedure and longer recovery times. Your dentist can explain the pros and cons of each option in more depth and ensure you make a sound decision.

How to Prevent Future Tooth Loss

Sometimes, tooth loss is a complete accident. Maybe someone crashed into your car, or perhaps your child got hit with a basketball during gym class. Other times, tooth loss is the result of decay. But no matter the reason, losing a tooth isn’t something you want to repeat. Take a look at these tips for avoiding missing teeth in the future:

• Maintain Good Oral Hygiene—Brush at least twice a day, floss daily, and use an antimicrobial mouthwash to improve your oral health.
• Protect Your Teeth During Sports—If you play sports, wear a custom-fit mouthguard during practices and games to shield your teeth from trauma.
• Visit Your Dentist Regularly—Routine check-ups help spot problems early before they lead to tooth loss.
• Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods—Be aware of foods that could damage your teeth, such as ice or hard candy. Avoid consuming them whenever possible.
• Address Dental Problems Promptly—Don’t ignore cavities, gum inflammation, or sensitivity—prompt treatment can save a tooth before it falls out or needs to be extracted.  

Look to Us for Tooth Replacement

No matter why you need a fake tooth, Peak Family Dental Care is here to help. Our dentists in Flagstaff, Cottonwood, and Sedona are highly skilled in restorative dentistry and are happy to bring patients the best possible outcomes. While tooth replacement may seem scary, the numerous options available today allow you to restore your smile without significant pain. Request an appointment with us today to address missing front teeth.