Often the main reason people want to replace their missing teeth is for cosmetic reasons. They know it is not aesthetically pleasing to see a gap in a smile. However, a gap does not only affect your appearance and self-esteem, but there are also some severe consequences for not replacing missing teeth.
Each tooth plays a vital role in your mouth, helping you to chew, speak clearly, and show off your smile. A complete set of teeth play a crucial role in the structure of your mouth and your overall health. While there are many reasons you can lose a tooth, from tooth decay to sporting accidents, it is important to seek treatment as soon as you can because there are serious consequences if you continue to live with tooth loss.
Shifting Teeth
Teeth surrounding the gap will move over time to fill in the space left by the missing tooth. The shifting teeth can become crooked and misaligned causing a change in biting pressure, which can lead to other problems. Also, due to the movement, it may be more difficult to keep your teeth clean and avoid the build-up of plaque which could result in gum infections leading to the loss of more teeth.
Bone Loss
Failing to replace a lost tooth can cause the bone structure underneath your teeth to begin to waste away. Bone, like muscle tissue, can atrophy when it is not being stimulated. Losing this valuable bone could weaken the surrounding teeth, again resulting in the loss of additional teeth.
Altering Facial Features
Without your teeth in place to support your lips and cheeks, your facial features may begin to look distorted. Sunken cheeks and skin wrinkling around the mouth can give you an aged, collapsed appearance to your face.
Speaking Properly
Missing teeth can make it difficult to pronounce certain words, may cause you to slur your speech, or give you a lisp.
Difficulty Eating
When you cannot bite or chew your food well or without pain, you may eat less or choose to eat only soft food. This can impact the amount and type of nutrients you ingest, which can take a toll on the entire body.
TMJ Problems
Teeth that have shifted out of alignment can also cause temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder. TMJ is a painful condition which involves the dysfunction in the joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. If the upper and lower jaws do not fit together, the joint has excess strain. With tooth loss, you can favor one side over the other when eating, and over time this can worsen TMJ problems.
Montague Hills Dentistry Can Help with Treatment for Tooth Loss in Milpitas
You do not need to compromise your health by living with tooth loss. Visit our dentist to discuss the best options to replace your missing teeth. Our team can help you regain optimal oral health, giving you a great reason to smile.