If you have a missing
tooth or missing teeth, you may not feel like opening your mouth when you
smile, but according to your dentist, a closed mouth smile isn’t the only
consequence when it comes to a missing tooth.
One or more missing
teeth can make you embarrassed, depressed, and lower your self-esteem. Having a
missing tooth can also affect your self-confidence, but the American Dental Association explains that missing teeth can also affect your overall health.
Your teeth work
together as a team, and if one or more of your players is missing, you could be
asking for trouble. If you lose a tooth, losing the game isn’t the only consequence.
Missing teeth can
cause all sorts of issues. A missing tooth leaves a space that your other teeth
will try to fill. When you lose one or
more of your teeth, the others will drift into the empty space. Not only can
this type of movement cause your teeth to tip or rotate, but malocclusion can
also affect your jaw joints causing pain and locking.
Your dentist explains that tooth loss can affect
the way you chew. If you have lost one of your molars, you tend to chew on the opposite
side because you have more teeth to bite down on. The constant pressure caused
by chewing on one side can cause lost fillings and tooth breakage.
Another problem
caused from tooth loss is something that dentists refer to as hypereruption. If
you have lost a tooth and your other tooth has nothing to meet with when you talk
or chew, the opposing tooth will drop into place. Once this happens, the roots
of your teeth could become exposed. Root exposure can cause sensitive teeth,
root decay and gum disease.
Speaking of gum
disease, that empty space left by your tooth is inviting food particles, bacteria,
and plaque into the hole leaving you susceptible to gingivitis or the more
serious periodontal disease. If left untreated, gum disease can cause gum
recession leading to additional tooth loss. Gum disease can also affect your
other organs including your brain and your heart.
Your favorite foods
may become the most painful to eat if you have one or more missing teeth.
Crunchy foods such as apples, carrots, and nuts will no longer be enjoyable because
it may be painful. Not being able to eat healthy foods can eventually lead to
poor nutrition and even more health problems.
If you like to talk,
you may be surprised to learn that a missing tooth can affect your speech. You
may develop a lisp or your voice could change completely.
However, there are some
things you can do to replace your missing teeth. These include fixed dental
bridges, partial or full dentures or the most popular and permanent solution,
dental implants.
For more information
regarding missing tooth replacement, schedule an appointment with your dentist who
can determine what procedure would be best for your particular needs.
