Your dentist will
tell you that missing teeth will affect more than your self confidence and although
that gap in the middle of your smile may not do much for your self-esteem, it
isn’t doing much for your oral health either.
Your teeth are meant
to be a team, and if one is lost because of gum disease, tooth decay or an
accident, you need to bring in a replacement.
Although some people
don’t take losing a tooth too seriously, the long-term consequence can be detrimental.
If you have missing teeth the rest of your teeth are in danger as well.
Missing teeth not
only show when you smile, but will also age you. Your face will appear gaunt
because there is no cheek support. Your dentist explains that other problems
that can occur because of tooth loss include periodontal problems,
malocclusion, hypereruption, lost fillings, tooth fractures, speech defects,
chewing problems and TMJ.
According to Web MD,
your teeth will move freely until they come into contact with something. In
other words, if you lose a tooth, your surrounding teeth may drift into the
hole that was left by the missing tooth. The movement could be tipping or rotating
and will eventually affect your bite. This is known as malocclusion. If this occurs,
it could be putting a strain on your TMJ or jaw joints. Not only will this
cause pain, but severe TMJ disorders can actually cause your jaw to lock into
place.
Tooth loss hinders
your chewing ability on the side where you lost the tooth because there is less
chewing surface. When this occurs, you will naturally chew on the other side.
This will result in additional force that could cause lost fillings and broken
teeth.
If you have a tooth
that normally touches the missing tooth when you put your teeth together,
hypereruption can occur causing your tooth to protrude. So much so that your
roots could begin to show. This will cause sensitive teeth, root decay and gum
problems.
Although it is nearly
impossible to prevent all types of tooth loss, good oral hygiene that includes
brushing twice and flossing once each day can certainly help you keep your
teeth. If you play sports, wear a mouthguard and don’t forget to schedule
regular checkups with your dentist.
For more information
regarding the dangers of missing teeth, schedule an appointment with your
dentist today.
