Why Is Replacing Missing Teeth Vital for Your Oral Health?

Casey Ledford31 March 2023 (Updated 5 July 2023)

Have you ever wondered why replacing missing teeth is so important? Let me tell you – it’s not just about appearances; it’s also about your oral health! Having a complete set of teeth does more than simply offer you a confident grin; it also benefits your overall health. So, let’s get started and look at why restoring missing teeth is so important for your oral health.

Bone Loss

Bone loss is one result of missing teeth. When a tooth is lost, the bone that once supported it begins to degenerate. This can happen quickly, and you could be experiencing considerable bone loss before you know it. The difficulty with bone loss is that it can lead to a slew of additional oral health problems. It can, for example, impact the alignment of your remaining teeth, causing pain and discomfort in your jaw and neck. So if you’re missing teeth, you should consider replacing them as soon as possible to reduce bone loss.

Problems Eating and Speaking

Losing teeth can make it difficult to eat and speak. Some meals that require a bit of chewing strength can be difficult to eat when you’re lacking teeth. This can result in a restricted diet, which can be harmful to your general health. Furthermore, missing teeth can make it difficult to communicate adequately, which can be both unpleasant and embarrassing. You can restore your ability to eat and communicate comfortably and even improve your quality of life by replacing lost teeth.

Shift in Your Teeth

Your other teeth may move and shift to fill in the space created by a smile gap. Misalignment brought on by this may result in ailments like TMJ disorders and biting problems. In addition, having misaligned teeth might make it more difficult to maintain good oral hygiene, which increases the risk of decay and gum disease. You may avoid these problems and make sure your remaining teeth stay in the right positions by replacing lost teeth.

Change in Facial Shape

Bone volume density has an impact on more than only the functionality of your jaw. After a while, a decrease in jawbone density can have a visible effect. When one tooth is lost, the teeth around it become more vulnerable to damage and infection. As stated before, failure to replace a single tooth can result in the shifting and extraction of multiple teeth.

Even if only one tooth is missing, the structure of your face can begin to change. Because of the reduced bone volume, the face may appear shorter. A sunken jawline might make you appear older than you actually are. Replace lost teeth as soon as possible to retain a youthful appearance.

Gum Disease

Advanced gum disease, or periodontitis as it is medically known, is another major issue that you may face if you do not replace missing teeth for an extended length of time. Even if gum disease did not cause your tooth loss in the first place, the open socket where your tooth once sat allows germs of all kinds to invade your gums. Periodontitis is a severe infection that, if not treated early, can lead to more tooth loss, bone loss, and degradation of your entire jaw, making it the most significant side effect of tooth loss.

What Are My Options for Replacing Missing Teeth?

Now that you understand why it is critical to replace missing teeth, we will discuss a few choices for doing so.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the most popular choice on the market today, a revolutionary approach that helps to restore the strength of your teeth and jaw while also giving you back a natural-looking smile. Implants are the greatest restorative option since they appear and feel like natural teeth.

Dental implants, which are as secure and comfortable as natural teeth, can allow patients to regain more natural bite function. They appear nearly identical to your natural teeth and can be difficult for people to recognize if you don’t tell them. They also require the least amount of maintenance, as they are managed in the same manner as your usual dental practice.

Dentures

This type of dental restoration is for people who have lost all of their teeth. While they are not as comfortable as dental implants, dentures can restore normal bite function rather effectively. They can take several weeks to arrive and require periodic maintenance and repair. It is pretty simple to care for them; they can be removed each night to be brushed and left to soak in a jar overnight. They must never be allowed to dry out.

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge can replace a single tooth, however, it is most usually used to replace two, three, four, or more teeth. Dental bridges are made up of two or more crowns that are attached to the abutment teeth at each end of the gap and link to one or more artificial teeth known as pontics. Bridges are often made of a metal base that is coated in porcelain and colored to match the natural teeth.

If you are missing teeth, it is critical that you investigate your tooth replacement choices as soon as possible. The longer you wait to replace a tooth, the worse your bone loss and other complications will be.

How We Can Help

A Cosmetic Dentistry Grant is for anyone who wishes to enhance their oral health and restore confidence in their smile, but you must first meet eligibility requirements. Apply now with CDG to see if you’re eligible!