The Health Hazards of Missing Teeth

Tooth loss can occur from a variety of reasons including wear, injury, and periodontal disease. According to the American College of Prosthetics, 178 million people in America have at least one tooth missing. Tooth loss becomes even more problematic as we get older. By the time people hit their mid-60s to mid-70s, nearly a third of them will have no natural teeth.

Your missing tooth should be replaced. While you may not have been overly concerned about the additional space in your mouth, a missing tooth can cause significant issues.

Causes Bone Loss

The roots of your tooth take up space in your jaw bone. If the void is not filled the bone will begin to deteriorate. This is known as bone resorption. When you have one missing tooth, the surrounding teeth can also be affected by bone resorption. This resorption can cause additional tooth loss.

You Will Look Older

When you have missing teeth, you look older. The aging of your appearance is not simply because of missing teeth. Bone resorption will eventually affect your appearance. The shape of your face will start to change, and your lips may appear asymmetrical or sunken. Tooth loss can also cause wrinkles to set in around your mouth and on your cheeks.

Affects Your Social Interaction

Depending on the location of the space, your speech could be affected. You could develop a lisp. If your missing teeth are apparent when you are speaking to people or smiling, you may find you smile or engage in conversations less often. This can affect your social life, your job, and even your earning potential.

Affects Your Diet

When you are missing teeth, your food choices could be restricted. If you have trouble biting or chewing, you could be sacrificing proper nutrition. When you have to reduce your food choices to soft or easily chewed foods, healthy food choices become limited.

To have your missing tooth replaced, contact your cosmetic dentist in Studio City, or in your hometown. Your cosmetic dentist can offer several solutions for replacement, including partials, bridges, and dental implants. Replacing your missing tooth can save you from additional tooth loss and bone loss.

Replacing your missing tooth is as easy as contacting Studio City Dental Center. Your cosmetic dentist in Studio City can help you decide on your best replacement option. Schedule your consultation today!