What is the Problem with Missing Teeth?
By the time the average American adult reaches the age of fifty, they will have lost 25% of their teeth, which includes their four wisdom teeth. Almost 70% of adults between the ages of 35 to 44 of age, have lost at least one permanent tooth. Losing a natural tooth is a frequent problem, but there are so many more consequences than just a gap between two teeth. With every lost tooth, it can have a negative effect on your overall health. The longer you postpone the replacement of a missing tooth will also increase your chances of losing more teeth, as well as developing other issues.
If you are missing teeth and you have not replaced them, here are some of the risks you should be aware of.
The Problems That Come from a Missing Tooth
* Jawbone Loss – Having a strong, dense jawbone helps anchor your teeth. It keeps them securely in place. Whenever you chew, this pressure stimulates the health of the jawbone. When you have a tooth missing, this will trigger jawbone loss, because the missing gap no longer has another tooth to contact, which stimulates the bone. Having this void space will lead to the atrophy and deterioration of the jawbone in this location.
* Greater Risk for Health Issues – The risk of gum disease increases as you wait to replace a missing tooth. Gum disease is the culprit that will lead to other serious health issues like diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and even cancer. How does a missing tooth promote gum disease? With the vacant pocket, which was home to a natural tooth, now creates easier access for bacteria to enter your gums. And these bacteria will lead to gum disease, the inflammation of your gums, which will promote further bone loss. Bone loss will also affect the shape of your face.
* Increase Your Risk for Losing More Teeth – When you lose a tooth, it can directly affect the health of your surrounding teeth. Research has proven that when do not replace a missing tooth, it will increase your risk of losing more teeth by 30%.
* Make Your Teeth Crooked –Tooth loss will cause the neighboring teeth to begin drifting towards the empty space. This can create aesthetic issues with your smile because the teeth that were once straight now become crooked. It will create issues for your dental hygiene as well. As your teeth crowd together, it naturally becomes more difficult to floss effectively, so more bacteria build up and forms on your teeth, leading to gum disease.
* Problems with Your Bite – As your teeth shift, the alignment will change in how they come together when you bite. An improper bite can promote grinding of the teeth, or a jaw disorder such as TMJ disorder. These issues can cause damage to the enamel of your teeth, headaches, tooth sensitivity and more.
Missing teeth affect more than just your smile. They affect your overall health and will lead to more serious dental issues. If you are missing a tooth, consider making an appointment with your dentist to learn about some tooth replacement options, like dental implants. Unlike traditional dentures, dental implants look, function, and feel like your natural teeth. They are durable, last a lifetime and preserve your natural jawbone density.