Why Replace Missing Teeth
When you lose a tooth or multiple teeth due to injury, illness, or poor oral hygiene, the problem is not just cosmetic. There are some very real risks linked with missing teeth. Everyone knows that missing teeth can impact your smile, make you uncomfortable in photos, and sometimes even affect the way you speak or eat. However, if you’ve been missing teeth for a long time, there are risks you should be aware of aside from cosmetic problems.
Teeth are very instrumental in a lot of body functions. Besides chewing and digestion, teeth are involved in speech sounds, help protect the gums, they are important for facial aesthetics and help to evenly distribute pressure in the mouth when chewing. Missing even one tooth consequently means that the functionality of the entire set of teeth could be compromised. This is why our cosmetic dentists advise patients to immediately seek help and replace missing teeth. Here are just a few of the issues you might have to deal with if you ignore missing teeth.
Eating Problems !
Missing teeth can make it hard to chew food, which can affect your diet. In fact, since people with dental problems tend to gravitate towards soft and processed food, ignoring those missing teeth could even impact your weight, which can in turn impact your overall health.
Perfectly arranged teeth can become crooked due to a missing tooth. Since every tooth occupies its own space, a missing tooth leaves space that forces the remaining teeth to try and fill the void. The surrounding teeth will begin to shift to and bend towards the gap. crooked teeth can also create areas that a toothbrush or floss cannot reach. Food particles will become plaque and spread in these areas, developing into an infection.
Temporomandibular joint complications
Missing teeth can lead to the development of TMJ joint problems. These are caused by the imbalance in the jaws which are as a result of missing teeth hence uneven distribution of pressure when chewing. TMJ problems are dangerous and you shouldn’t let your problems get that far.
Predisposing yourself to Gum Disease
Advanced gum disease, or as it’s referred to formally, periodontitis, is another huge problem that you can face if you don’t replace teeth that have been missing for a long time. Even if gum disease didn’t contribute to your tooth loss in the first place, the open socket where your tooth once rested opens the door for all kinds of bacteria to enter your gums. Periodontitis is a very nasty infection which can cause more tooth loss, bone loss, and deterioration of your entire jaw if not treated early, likely making this the most serious side effect of losing teeth
Replace Missing Teeth - Jaw Bone Resorption
Bone loss also known as bone resorption occurs when a tooth is lost and the natural roots are no longer embedded into the jawbone. The space left behind by a missing tooth takes a toll on the neighbouring teeth and with time, you will end up losing more teeth. Bone loss is a serious complication and you should not let it get to worrying levels.
Many people have missing teeth as the result of trauma, decay, or gum disease. If you have a missing tooth or teeth, it’s never too late to seek treatment to help your smile be the best it can be! Dental implants are a great option for missing teeth because they stimulate your jaw bone and effectively prevent any bone loss or changes to your facial structure. They’re also extremely sturdy and function and look much like natural teeth.
You also have the options of cosmetic dentures, partial dentures, or implant-supported dentures. A bridge could be a great choice for you as well; every patient will be unique. Schedule a consultation to find out how to replace missing teeth and your options for getting your perfect smile back!
You don’t have to live with missing teeth—there are affordable options for helping to maintain your appearance as well as the functionality of your smile. Avoid shifting teeth, changes in your beautiful facial structure, and chewing and speaking problems by exploring options for your missing teeth!