What would you do if you lost a tooth? Does the answer to that question depend on where the tooth was? Usually, if one of someone’s front teeth is knocked out, an appointment is set as quickly as possible. But, if the missing teeth are towards the back of a mouth, and don’t have a significant impact on the aesthetics of a smile, people tend to wait. In fact, did you know that the average adult has three or more missing or decayed teeth? This fact begs a question: what will a missing tooth do to your smile?
As you’ve probably guessed, missing teeth should be replaced as quickly as possible, regardless of where the gap is. Missing teeth can lead to a variety of problem. For example, if someone is missing a tooth, they will struggle to chew. In response, they may switch to chewing on the other side of their mouth. However, uneven chewing can lead to a sore jaw. Another problem is that when a tooth is missing, the supporting bone beneath weakens. This lets your other teeth shift towards the gap, eventually resulting in a crooked smile.
Another potential problem is gum disease. As you may know, the best thing you can do to prevent gum disease is keep your smile clean. Unfortunately, chunks of food are more likely to get lodged between your teeth if you have a hole in your smile. This can promote bacteria and promote gum disease.
Luckily, a dentist can evaluate your unique circumstances and offer you a few solutions, such as a bridge or an implant.
Do you have any more questions about how you can care for your smile? Do you want to learn more about your options for replacing missing teeth? Are you interested in scheduling an appointment with our team? If so, please feel free to contact us soon. We are excited to hear from you soon.