Missing one or two teeth is quite common among adults in the US, particularly within the older population. In fact, by the time they reach middle age, the majority of people in this country are missing at least one tooth due to a variety of reasons. Many people choose to simply live without those teeth, thinking that missing teeth is not a major problem and not wanting to go through the procedures involved to replace them. But that is never a good idea. You should always replace missing teeth – even if it’s just a single tooth. If you don’t, you run the risk of a variety of other problems, each of which is much more serious than a missing tooth.
- Changes in your bite: When you lose a tooth, your other teeth gradually begin to shift in place to fill in the gap left behind. When this happens, your bite can be thrown off, which can make it difficult to chew food normally and can cause some discomfort as well.
- Changes in your speech: A missing tooth, particularly a tooth in the front of your mouth, can negatively impact the way you speak.
- Changes in your appearance: The gap left behind by a missing tooth can be embarrassing. That kind of embarrassment can damage your self-confidence and self-esteem, and can have a negative impact on the quality of your life overall.
- Increases your risk of developing gum disease: When your remaining teeth shift in place to fill in the gap left behind by a missing tooth, it can be harder to thoroughly brush and floss between teeth. This can result in a higher likelihood of developing gum disease.
- Bone loss may occur: Teeth are much more than simply instruments that allow you to chew food. They also perform an important function in keeping the bone density of your jaw healthy. When you lose a tooth and don’t replace it, the bone tissue that once surrounded that tooth begins to deteriorate and bone loss can occur.
Although there are many negative consequences of tooth loss, we do have some good news: there are several different options to choose from to replace missing teeth. The choices range from dental implants to bridges to partial or complete dentures. Each of these replacement options are likely to last for many years. For more information about how to replace missing teeth, and to decide which option is best for you, talk to your dentist.
