Why Missing Teeth Need to Be Replaced

By the time many adults reach middle age, they start to lose their teeth and usually have one or more missing teeth. The loss of teeth is usually caused by tooth decay and gum disease, which are caused by poor oral hygiene. Tooth loss can also be caused by injuries, which can occur while engaging in physical activities or an accident.

Reasons why missing teeth need to be replaced

For most of the people who have missing teeth, the most popular reason for replacing their teeth is to improve their appearance, which will make them more comfortable smiling in public. Even though the appearance of the teeth is important, there are more important reasons why missing teeth should be replaced.

Some of the reasons why people should replace their missing teeth include:

The ability to chew comfortably

Chewing food can be difficult and painful if the missing teeth are in the back of the mouth. Having one or more missing teeth can cause a shift in bite pressure from one tooth onto another, which can lead the teeth to move into the space created by a missing tooth over time. If the missing teeth are not replaced, it can lead to soreness or inflammation of the gums because the space created by the missing tooth is exposed while chewing, putting a lot of pressure on the exposed gums.

Maintaining facial structure

Like muscles, the bones in the body need to be stimulated to maintain their integrity. The bones in the jaw are stimulated when people eat due to the force of biting and chewing, which travels down the root of the teeth to the bone. When one loses a tooth, the bone that was under the tooth starts to weaken and loses density because it is no longer being stimulated by the tooth roots. When a person loses more than one tooth, the effects are more pronounced, which can lead to the person’s face having a sunken appearance that makes them appear older than they really are.

The ability to speak properly

Having missing teeth, especially in the front, makes it difficult to pronounce certain words. If a person is missing their front teeth and does not get them replaced, they will have trouble communicating and will likely not be inclined to speak in public.

How can missing teeth be replaced?

There are quite a few ways to replace missing teeth these days, some of which include:

• Dental implants: These are considered the next best thing to having natural teeth because the implants act as tooth roots and stimulate the jaw bone, helping to preserve the patient’s facial structure
• Dental bridges: These are used when there are healthy teeth adjacent to the space created by the missing teeth. The artificial tooth is held in place by dental crowns, which are fitted on top of the adjacent teeth
• Dentures: These are not as durable as bridges and implants, but they are very useful, especially when it comes to replacing multiple missing teeth

Conclusion

Missing teeth can make it awkward to smile or speak in public because of the appearance of your teeth. Fortunately, there are plenty of replacement options to choose from. If you have missing teeth and want to get them replaced, schedule an appointment with your dentist to go over your replacement options.

Request an appointment here: https://smilesdental.com or call Smiles Dental Care at (650) 563-1180 for an appointment in our Mountain View office.

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