Many people think that missing teeth are only a cosmetic issue. But if you don’t replace your missing teeth, it can cause other dental problems and even change the bone structure of your face. In fact, losing just one tooth actually increases the risk of further tooth loss. So if you need dentures or a dental bridge, don’t delay!
Five Reasons Why You Need to Replace Missing Teeth
1: To Stop Teeth from Shifting
When you lose a permanent tooth, the surrounding teeth will slowly start shifting to fill the gap. Crooked teeth are more difficult to clean, and increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, the main causes of tooth loss. Shifting teeth can also cause bite misalignment issues and TMJ disorders.
2: To Improve Speaking and Chewing
Tooth loss can also make it difficult to eat and speak normally. A proper bite ensures that you can enunciate words correctly and chew your food thoroughly. And because chewing is a crucial part of the digestive process, difficulty chewing can lead to throat and stomach irritation.
3: To Prevent Bone Loss
The roots of the tooth stimulate the jaw bone, which helps it maintain its shape. When a tooth is missing, the bone in that area will begin to deteriorate in a process called bone resorption. Over time, missing teeth can actually cause your face shape to change, causing a sunken appearance that makes you look older. Dentures and dental bridges can help fill out your face, but dental implants will actually stimulate the jaw bone, preventing bone loss.
4: To Reduce the Risk of Further Problems
A single missing tooth can set off a chain reaction of dental problems. To begin with, the gums in the empty space and surrounding teeth become more exposed to plaque and bacteria, increasing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Replacing teeth helps prevent these problems and saves you the costly treatments to fix them in the future.
5: To Restore Your Smile
Along with restoring your ability to eat and speak normally, replacing missing teeth can also restore your confidence. Many people with missing teeth try to avoid smiling or speaking in public, and may avoid social gatherings altogether. Restoring your smile not only enhances your appearance, but can also boost your self-esteem and improve your quality of life.
Dental Bridges and Dentures in Flagstaff, Arizona
Don’t let missing teeth make you miss out on life. At Country Club Dental, we can restore your smile, your dental health, and your confidence by transforming your smile. If you’re interested in dentures, partials, or a dental bridge, give us a call at 928-526-4314 today to schedule a consultation. Dr. Paul Whitney and Dr. Mikaela Weedman can replace your missing teeth and restore your smile.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (10/30/2023). Photo by Mathias Konrath on Unsplash
