Top 5 Risks of Not Replacing Your Missing Teeth

Unfortunately, most people are unaware that failure to replace missing teeth can result in a slew of health problems. It doesn't matter if you're missing your front teeth, canines, or adult teeth at the back of the mouth. Ignoring the problem can significantly increase your risk of requiring extensive treatment in the future.

Keep reading to discover the most common physical and psychological health risks that come with untreating missing teeth.

1. Difficulty chewing

Each tooth has a distinct function in the eating process. The incisors, for example, are used for biting, and the molars and pre-molars are used to grind food. The chewing process will be hampered if one or more teeth are missing. Gaps in your mouth can render you unable to eat foods that are rather difficult to chew. Resulting changes in diet and lack of essential vitamins and nutrients can cause digestion issues and other health problems.

2. Crooked teeth

A missing tooth can cause perfectly aligned teeth to become crooked. Because each tooth has its own space, the other teeth are forced to try to fill the gap when one is gone. The teeth on either side of the gap will begin to shift and bend towards it. Crooked teeth can result in regions that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush or floss. Food residue will turn into plaque and spread across these regions, ultimately causing decay.

3. More missing teeth

Many people experience difficulty cleaning and flossing their teeth properly as a result of them shifting out of position to fill the empty space. This can lead to dental plaque accumulation that can potentially contribute to gum disease. Severe gum disease may result in you needing to pull one or more of your infected teeth if you fail to seek timely treatment.

4. Jawbone loss

The jawbone is in charge of keeping your teeth in place. Just like other bones in your body, your jawbone requires regular stimulation. In the case of the jawbone, it needs regular chewing and grinding of food to stay strong and healthy. Because the gap from a missing tooth remains inactive, your jawbone can start deteriorating. The inactive gap causes resorption, in which the body takes calcium from the jaw and uses it in other parts of the body. As a result, your face will collapse, and you will risk further tooth loss.

5. Decreased self-confidence

Tooth loss can result in a lack of functionality. For instance, missing incisors can lead to difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, which can, in turn, exacerbate your anxiety to communicate with other people. Another important function of teeth is helping maintain your natural facial features. A missing tooth, particularly along the jaws, can alter the form and appearance of your face. This can be extremely detrimental to your self-esteem.

Those who avoid speaking in public or are self-conscious about their smile because of crooked or missing teeth should seek professional treatment. Consider finding an experienced dental specialist and asking them whether a dental implant procedure is a right option for you. Dental implants are highly popular for treating missing teeth and are praised for their natural appearance and impressive durability. Your dentist will perform an extensive examination and review your medical history in detail to determine which type of implants suit you the best.

The bottom line

Tooth loss should not be taken lightly. These common dental problems not only affect your smile but also put you at risk of experiencing severe health problems that are often very challenging and costly to treat. The good news is that all of these risks can be avoided simply by seeing a dentist and discussing your tooth replacement options.