Why Should You Bother With Replacing Missing Teeth?

A lot of education goes into dental health practices to avoid losing teeth, but do you know what to do after losing a tooth? Many of our patients are unsure how to deal with tooth loss or its negative consequences. Thankfully, we’ve got answers and can help you navigate the process of replacing a missing tooth.

Keep reading to learn more.

What Are the Consequences of Not Replacing a Tooth?

Aesthetic:

• A first impression is important, and missing a tooth alters the first impression you give people. Appearance is highly valued in society, so changes to your teeth can change your professional and personal relationships. 
• Jaw structure is maintained by the support and stimulation your teeth provide. Losing teeth correlates to a reduction in support, causing your jaw to shrink over time if untreated. A shrinking, receding jaw leads to a weak-looking chin and saggy, old-looking cheeks.
• When your lost tooth leaves a gap, it’s also leaving room for your teeth to shift out of alignment, creating a jagged, crooked smile. Even if your remaining teeth are perfectly healthy, people generally associate straight teeth with good oral health.
• Missing or misaligned front teeth can impact your speech. Try saying, “The first sip of cider is very satisfying when you’re thirsty,” without letting your lips or tongue touch your front teeth. Living with a speech impediment caused by missing teeth will drastically alter your communication skills.

Physical:

• The newly exposed gum where your tooth used to be is now more susceptible to gum disease, which has a wide range of negative consequences. 
• You’re likely to unconsciously shift your chewing habits to compensate for missing teeth, favoring one side of the mouth or aligning your jaw in strange ways. This puts uneven strain and wear on your teeth and jaws, leading to further oral health problems. 
• Misalignment, uneven wear, and an increased gum disease risk all combine to make it more likely that you’ll lose more teeth.

All Is Not Lost!

We want you to be proud of your smile, but with all the negative consequences tooth loss brings to the table, confidence can be hard to muster. Thankfully, restorative dentistry offers a variety of options that will minimize the effects of losing permanent teeth.

Call our office located in Toledo, OH to learn more about tooth replacement options, including:

• Dental Implants
• Dental Bridges
• Dentures

You don’t have to live with the discomfort and embarrassment of missing teeth. With tooth replacement, we can restore your smile, your oral health, and your self-confidence. Call today to talk with your dentist about how restorative dentistry can improve your smile.