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Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Missing Teeth
People can lose teeth in any number of ways. Sometimes, an accident knocks out a tooth; other times, poor oral health or bad oral hygiene cause a tooth to fall out on its own or require extraction. While you may think that all a missing tooth does is leave a gap in your smile, there can be far worse consequences of losing an adult tooth.
You should be aware of the dangers of missing teeth in order to protect yourself from harmful side effects.
What are the Side Effects of Missing Teeth?
Chronic Health Issues
You probably didn’t think that something as simple as a missing tooth could cause you to experience other serious health issues, but it can. As bacteria build up on your gums over time, they can travel to other parts of your body and contribute to illness such as:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cancer, and more
Gum Disease
When your gums are left exposed due to missing teeth, food particles and bacteria can settle into those gaps, putting you at risk for decay and infection. While gum disease is treatable in its early stages, as time goes on, you may require more serious dental treatment to restore your oral health.
Speech Impediments
Your teeth and tongue work together to form consonant sounds, so if you’re missing teeth, you will likely develop a lisp or whistling noise as you try to speak. These speech impediments can cause you to feel insecure or awkward.
Difficulty Eating
Without every tooth in its proper place to break down food, you won’t be able to eat certain things as easily as you would if you weren’t missing teeth. You may also put yourself at risk of choking if you’re unable to break down food into small enough pieces.
This can force you to be stuck eating only soft foods that do not require much chewing, which can eventually lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Crooked Teeth
Without neighboring structures to hold them in place, other teeth can shift to fill the gaps left by missing teeth. Not only can crooked teeth be unsightly, but they allow for more space for bacteria to live and grow, increasing your risk for tooth decay.
How to Resolve Missing Teeth
You’ll be happy to know that there are several treatment options that can restore your mouth’s health and function.
Dental Bridges
Used as both a restorative and cosmetic dental treatment, bridges are tooth-supported appliances that can be used to replace one or several teeth. They function and look similar to your natural teeth.
Dentures
Depending on the type of dentures your dentist determines you’re best suited for, these can be used to replace several teeth or entire arches of your teeth. They are a non-invasive, affordable option for tooth replacement and gum loss.
Dental Implants
Receiving implants involves having an anchor surgically placed into your jaw bone and covered with a crown to provide the most secure tooth restoration possible. When properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime as they provide you with a realistic feel and appearance that mimic your natural teeth.
Restorative Dentistry Treatment from ProHEALTH Dental
Whether you’re looking to replace missing teeth or avoid losing them in the first place, the team at ProHEALTH Dental is here to help. You will always receive the highest standard of care regardless of which one of our many convenient locations you choose.
Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your options for restoring your mouth and improving your oral and overall wellness.