What if You Have a Missing Tooth?

A single damaged or missing tooth can influence your daily life. Depending on the location of a lost tooth, you may not notice a gap in your mouth. This might be the case especially if it is at the back or side of your mouth. But teeth are designed to work together, so missing one or more teeth may impact speech and eating. Over time, it can also cause other problems. Read on to learn more about the consequences of tooth loss.

Missing tooth

Missing teeth are usually the result of trauma, gum disease, tooth decay, or poor nutrition. Replacing missing teeth is always recommended in order to avoid serious physical and psychological problems. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments for replacing a missing tooth. Here are some common dental consequences associated with not replacing lost teeth.

Chewing and speech issues

Teeth are designed for chewing, so when teeth are lost, it makes it hard to chew. Chewing may cause pain, which can lead to people eating less or different foods. In some cases, this can result in poor nutrition. The teeth also play a role in speech. Lost teeth or even large spaces between teeth can make it difficult to pronounce particular words. People with missing teeth usually experience slurring, whistling, or spitting when speaking.

Bone loss

Failure to replace a missing tooth or teeth is regarded to be the leading cause of jawbone loss. Missing teeth can cause bone loss in the jaw as well as face due to atrophy. This can cause a change in one’s facial structure. In many cases, this can make the face look older and wrinkly.

Shifting teeth

The teeth are attached firmly to the jawbone, but they can shift and move over time. This may occur due to several reasons including tooth decay or gum recession. This shifting issue can be accelerated with one or more missing teeth. The gaps often create spaces into which adjacent teeth can shift. This shifting usually ends up creating more space for other teeth to shift and, in a domino effect, the entire bite can be affected.

Tooth-replacement options

Missing teeth can affect your appearance, your oral health, and even your health in general. Large spaces between your teeth may also affect how you eat or speak. The remaining teeth may shift over time and sometimes bone loss can occur around a lost tooth. But you do not have to suffer from missing teeth. Some common options for replacing missing teeth include dentures, bridges, and dental implants.

Dental implants are a viable option for replacing one or more teeth. They are secure and stable and are designed to last for a long time. Dental bridges are another good option when only one or a few teeth are missing. You can opt for dentures if you have lost most or all of your teeth. But it is important to learn about the pros and cons of each treatment before making a decision. Your dentist can help you decide the right option for you.

Request an appointment here: https://www.titandentalcare.com or call Titan Dental Care at (703) 745-3227 for an appointment in our Sterling office.

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