Roughly 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, according to the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP). Additionally, 40 million Americans have lost all of their natural teeth.
A missing tooth may seem inconsequential at first, which is why not everyone has theirs replaced. More people are concerned about how the loss will impact their smile, and this is usually the biggest factor in convincing them to get a dental implant. If the tooth gap is in a hidden spot, tooth replacement won’t be high on their priority list.
It’s imperative that you replace your missing teeth, regardless of the tooth gap’s position. Leaving a tooth gap empty can result in a host of problems that can deteriorate your dental and overall health.
Rod W. Gore DDS, a dental implant specialist in Scottsdale, lists the risks of not replacing your missing teeth.
-
Misaligned Teeth
Your teeth constantly exert pressure on either side of them, keeping everything in place. So, when you lose a tooth, the neighboring teeth may start to slowly move toward the empty space. This occurrence can make your once-straight teeth crooked, causing another cosmetic problem for your smile.
Teeth crowding is another risk of tooth loss. As your teeth shift to fill the gap, they’ll crowd into one another. The tight spaces between the crowded teeth make it harder to floss, so more plaque and bacteria build up in your mouth.
-
Bone Loss in the Jaw
Not many people know that their jawbone relies on their teeth to stay healthy. When one or more of your teeth are missing and not replaced, the jawbone will soon deteriorate. It is one of the most significant consequences of not replacing missing teeth.
This is because, in the same way that muscles are maintained through exercise, bone tissues are maintained through constant use. Thus, the tooth roots in your jawbone tissues stimulate the jawbone through chewing and biting.
When you have several missing teeth, the loss can trigger the slow deterioration of your jawbone tissues due to disuse. The longer you leave the gap between your teeth unfilled, the more your jawbone erodes.
Severe jawbone tissue deterioration can lead to various health problems, including tooth loss and gum disease. It also diminishes your eligibility for tooth replacement solutions since your jaw would be too weak to support the implants.
-
Gum Disease
Bacteria can easily reach the part of your gum where a tooth used to be since there’s nothing blocking it anymore. These bacteria can cause gum disease, which will then lead to further tooth loss and jawbone tissue deterioration.
Additionally, your gums are also more exposed to overbrushing or toothbrush abrasion when missing teeth are left unreplaced. If you’re a vigorous brusher, you might push back your gums and cause them to recede.
-
Malnutrition
Multiple studies have pointed out the link between tooth loss and the risk of malnutrition, especially for older adults. Missing molars make it difficult to chew, which can affect your diet. When you can’t chew properly, you might not make your daily nutrition intake. The inability to eat certain food items will then lead to malnutrition.
If you’re missing a tooth or two, it’s important to have them replaced as soon as possible to avoid other health problems from developing. Make sure to visit a dentist specializing in tooth replacement so they can recommend the best option for someone of your age and lifestyle habits.
Dental Implant Specialist in Scottsdale, Arizona
Rod W. Gore, DDS offers cosmetic, general, and restorative dental care in Scottsdale, Arizona. We provide dental services for the whole family, taking care of the oral health of kids to older adults.
We offer several tooth replacement options, including dental implants and veneers.
Call 480-585-6225 to schedule an appointment today. For inquiries about our dental services, fill out our online form.