Do you know that one single missing tooth in our mouth can affect us in several ways? Missing teeth can impact your speech and ability to eat. Missing teeth can even impact how you look. As you age, the jawbone begins to shrink, making your face appear sunken. In addition to looking older, missing teeth can also impact your self-confidence. Read our blog to learn about the importance of replacing lost teeth.

What causes tooth loss?

• Gum Disease

Gum disease is a common reason for tooth loss. When bacteria levels in the mouth become too high, the gums can become inflamed, leading to bleeding, pain, and swelling. People with gum disease may notice red, swollen gums that bleed when they brush their teeth. Over time, the gums can recede and loosen, eventually leading to tooth loss.

• Dental Injuries

Dental injuries are quite common. Simply biting down on a hard object can cause a tooth to be knocked out. This can be particularly dangerous for young, growing children. Sports injuries are also very common, and people may chip a tooth, break a tooth, or fracture a tooth.

• Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a common reason people lose teeth. We recommend patients see their dentist twice a year for routine cleanings and examinations. These appointments allow us to examine your mouth for signs of decay, allowing us to provide treatment to repair it.

When left untreated, tooth decay can progress and eventually cause tooth loss.

• Missing Teeth Due to Other Health Conditions

Aside from poor oral hygiene, common health conditions can also contribute to tooth loss. Kidney failure, diabetes, and eating disorders can cause issues with your oral health.

Diabetes, for example, causes dry mouth, which damages your teeth. Frequent vomiting from eating disorders can also weaken your teeth.

• Missing Teeth Due to Age

One of the leading causes of tooth loss is age. As you age, your jawbone becomes weaker, and your teeth can become loose. As a result, they can fall out.

Why is replacing missing teeth important?

• Improve Oral Health

Every tooth is important for maintaining the overall health of our mouth. When a tooth is missing, it can cause the other teeth to drift and affect your bite. Other teeth can also receive additional bite pressure as you have food. Replacing missing teeth can solve this issue.

• Prevent Teeth Movement

When a tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth will begin to shift out of position. This can lead to misalignment, crooked teeth, and bite problems. You may experience speech problems, such as lisping or having trouble pronouncing certain words. Replacing a missing tooth will prevent the movement of teeth out of place.

• Improve Overall Appearance

Missing teeth can lead to poor esthetics and malocclusion. This means that when teeth are lost, it can create other dental problems. For instance, when a tooth is lost, it can cause the opposing tooth to drift into the open space. This causes bite misalignment.

• Improve Overall Function

When teeth are missing, chewing and eating your favorite foods can be difficult or even painful. In addition to affecting your digestion, missing teeth can impact your speech. When teeth are missing, your remaining teeth can drift out of alignment, and your smile can begin to lose its youthful appearance.

Augmenting your smile with replacement teeth is an effective way to improve your appearance and restore function.

• Resolve Speech Problems

Missing teeth can cause you to speak differently than when you had a full smile. This can cause embarrassment and make you feel self-conscious. By replacing missing teeth, you can fill out your smile and improve your speech.

• Strengthen the Jawbone

When you lose a tooth, the bone that supports its root will begin to deteriorate. This bone loss is called resorption. The more teeth you lose, the more likely you are to suffer severe bone loss. That’s why replacing your missing teeth is so important.

• Prevent the Loss of Facial Structure 

Gaps can cause adjacent teeth to shift out of place, which could result in an unbalanced facial structure. Replacing missing teeth is the best solution to prevent this.

Tooth Restoration Options

When you replace your missing tooth with the right replacement tooth, it will help restore oral functionality and address the problems caused by the missing tooth. Popular tooth restoration options include:

• Dental implants
• Dentures
• Implant-supported dental bridges
• Tooth supported bridges
• Flipper

If you want to learn more about the importance of replacing missing teeth, contact Dental Arts of Boston at (617) 266-0441 today to book an appointment with Dentist Boston, MA. Our team can offer guidance and make product recommendations for your unique smile.