Over 50 percent of Americans are missing at least one tooth because of decay or gum disease, injury. There are many consequences of missing a tooth, some of which are low self-esteem and confidence. Unfortunately, one of the most damaging effects of a missing tooth is bone loss. The bone has a life cycle, like other living tissues, where old cells dissolve into the body and new ones replace them.

Forces from the teeth when you bite or chew something stimulate this growth cycle in the jawbone. If you are missing a tooth, which helps to provide this stimulation, the bone cells involved will not regenerate at a healthy rate. As a result of this, the volume of the bone can reduce over time by as much as 25 percent in the first 12 months of losing the tooth.

This is why it is very important to replace a missing tooth. Many people believe replacing a missing tooth is just about improving your smile, but that is not Utterly true. While replacing a missing tooth can help restore your confidence and self-esteem, it also plays a key role in the overall health of your teeth and mouth. Here are some vital reasons why you should replace a missing tooth.

Reasons to Replace a Missing Tooth

The Void Left by a Missing Tooth Can Affect the Other Teeth

When you lose a tooth, there is usually a big void left, and this can affect the remaining teeth. Your teeth are held together in a place by the periodontal ligament, which is a tight yet elastic tissue that lies between the bone and teeth. It helps the teeth to move progressively in response to the changes of the mouth, enabling the teeth to remain aligned with each other tightly.

When a tooth is missing from the chain of teeth, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth will drift or move toward the open space. This can result in a poor bite, which does not promote healthy digestion. To prevent this from happening, you should replace a missing tooth. A periodontist or orthodontic specialists can help with the right tooth implant. This process is very important, not just for the sake of appearance, but also to prevent the rising of other issues and to enhance function.

A Missing Tooth Could Change Your Face

According to ADA, a missing back tooth can cause your mouth to drift, and this can cause a major change on your face. It can make your face look older. All sections of your face are inter-connected and they all complement each other. Hence, a missing tooth can cause your muscle to droop and bone to deteriorate over time.

Fortunately, you can prevent this from happening by replacing the missing tooth. Whether the tooth is missing at the back or front, replacing it is vital. Replacing it on time will help keep the other teeth in place, and this will help to keep your mouth healthy. In return, this will help prevent your face from changing dramatically.

A Missing Tooth Can Result in Temporomandibular Joints Disorder

TMJ, which is short for temporomandibular joints, is the muscles at the side of your head that makes it possible for you to rotate your jaw and chew. You can experience severe physical pain if there are changes in these muscles as well as the system they are connected to. Unfortunately, tooth loss is one change that can result in temporomandibular joints disorder. If you fail to replace the tooth, you will suffer a lot of physical pain due to this disorder.

While an orthodontist can diagnose and treat TMJ disorder, the best treatment for it, is prevention. You can only prevent this issue by replacing your tooth immediately after it falls off. You should speak with your dentist to know the best tooth replacement options that will work for you.

Missing Teeth Can Affect the Way You Talk and Eat

With one or more missing teeth, you will experience many changes in your body system. A missing tooth can affect the way you eat. It will also make you avoid certain foods, as you will not be able to chew them properly. When it comes to eating, every teeth is important, especially the teeth at the back. With the absence of one or more teeth in your mouth, you will find it a little bit difficult to pronounce certain words. This can affect your pronunciation and how you talk.

It Can Cause Gum Disease or Tooth Decay

With one tooth missing from the equation, there is a high chance that you can lose others to gum disease, breakage, or decay. In addition to not being able to floss or brush misaligned teeth properly, the food pieces that get stuck will breed bacteria that will eat away your teeth. Misaligned teeth create a perfect home for infections or gum disease, which can make you lose more teeth. You do not want to lose more teeth just because of one missing tooth, which is why you need to replace the missing tooth as soon as possible.

Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth

There are many tooth-replacing options, and your dentist is in the best position to tell you the option that is best for you. Here are some of the most common methods of tooth replacement:

• Dental Implants: Dental implant is the most common and popular method of replacing a missing tooth. This is a very reliable tooth-replacement method, and the result feels and looks like a real tooth.

• Implant-Supported Bridge: If you have multiple missing teeth in a row, this is the right replacement solution for you. It is effective, and it provides a natural look.

• Tooth-Supported Bridge: This method involves using your already existing teeth to support the placement of a bridge, instead of placing two implants into your teeth.

• Removable Partial Dentures: This method is similar to dental implants and it is one of the simplest tooth-replacement options.

Conclusion

Replacing a missing tooth is not all about improving your smile. While that is important, tooth replacement does other vital things. If you have a missing tooth or teeth, you should visit a dental clinic with a professional team of doctors and technicians to provide you with the best dental service.