If you’ve recently lost a tooth, you’re now one of 178 million American adults who are missing at least one permanent tooth. Nearly 70% are the result of gum disease, but tooth loss can also be caused by cavities, injuries, infections, and certain diseases. Whatever the reason, having a gap in your smile can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. If you don’t act right away, it may even lead to serious, long-lasting complications for your smile and overall health. Read on to find out the complications of missing teeth and what you can do to replace them.
Missing Teeth Change More Than Just Your Smile
Even if you don’t think anyone will be able to see the gap in your smile, your mouth will notice. As soon as a tooth goes missing, even a back molar, your mouth begins to adjust. Here’s what might happen if you wait to replace it:
- Teeth may shift, change, or become loose: In an effort to fill the gap, the neighboring teeth may shift towards each other or expand into the open space. Crooked, misshaped teeth can change how your bite aligns, which can eventually lead to pain and damage in your jaw joints.
- There may be changes in your facial structure: Teeth stimulate blood flow in the jawbone to keep it strong and healthy. Without a tooth to support it, that area of the jawbone begins to deteriorate, which can cause a “sunken” appearance in your facial features.
- Everyday activities may become more challenging: Losing a tooth may make it more difficult to eat comfortably and speak clearly. Not only is this frustrating, but it may lead to digestive issues.
- Your mental health can suffer: Constantly worrying about the appearance of your teeth will most likely cause you to smile less. You may find yourself feeling more anxious and less confident, which can negatively impact your relationships, social life, and career.
- Increased risk of larger health complications. As food particles, plaque, and bacteria become more difficult to thoroughly remove, your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections rises. Researchers believe that this decrease in oral health could possibly lead to health conditions like diabetes, memory issues, and heart disease.
The Best Options to Restore Your Smile
To maintain your beautiful, functional smile, it’s important to replace your missing teeth right away. Thankfully, there are plenty of modern tooth replacement options for every lifestyle. Full or partial dentures are an affordable and fast way to fill in the gaps in your smile, while dental bridges can securely hold a replacement tooth in place with the support of neighboring teeth. For the most permanent, lifelike solution, dental implants can replace your teeth both above and below the gumline in order to look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth.
There’s no reason to keep waiting to replace your missing tooth. Your dentist can help you choose the replacement option that’s best for you so you can get back to enjoying your confident smile.
About the Author
At Byars Dental in Kansas City, MO, Dr. Michael C. Byars can rebuild your beautiful, healthy, and confident smile. With his professional training and focus on cosmetic and dental implant procedures, he would be happy to help you choose the tooth replacement option that’s best for you, whether it’s dentures, dental bridges, or dental implants. If you have any more questions about the complications of missing teeth and what you can do to prevent them, feel free to contact him at his website or (816) 781-8222.