Do you have a gap in your smile from a missing tooth? You are not alone! According to the American College of Prosthodontists, 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. While not having all of your pearly whites may make it harder to find a date for Valentine’s Day in a few weeks, that is not the only reason you should consider restoring your smile. Here are 4 ways missing teeth can negatively affect your health – and why you should consider dental implants as a restorative solution.
Why It Is Important to Replace Missing Teeth
Here are 4 negative potential consequences of not replacing missing teeth:
#1: Bone Loss
Although you cannot see them when you look in the mirror, teeth have roots that support and securely fasten the tooth in the jawbone. Tooth roots also stimulate the jawbone and keep it thick and strong. When teeth go missing, the jawbone can slowly deteriorate due to lack of stimulation. Jawbone deterioration can cause your face to appear sunken and aged.
#2: Shifting Teeth
Although your teeth seem very solidly in place, they can actually shift gradually over time. If you have a gap in your smile from a missing tooth, the adjacent teeth may slowly drift into the empty space that remains. This movement, known as dental drift, can result in bite problems and also make it more difficult to properly clean your teeth.
#3: Difficulty Eating
Teeth are designed to help us consume all of the different foods that make up a balanced diet. For example, front teeth are used to tear or break off bites of food, like pieces of bread or a bite of an apple. Back molars, meanwhile, are necessary to grind up tough foods like meats. Missing teeth can make it much harder to maintain a balanced diet.
#4: Speech Problems
Along with the lips and tongue, teeth play an important role in forming words. If you do not have all of your teeth, you may end up accidentally slurring, whistling or even spitting when talking with others. This could lead to some majorly embarrassing moments!
How to Replace a Missing Tooth
Fortunately, you can avoid all the undesirable scenarios above by replacing your missing tooth with a bridge, dentures or dental implants. Implant treatment is fast becoming the most popular way to replace missing teeth – and it is easy to understand why!
A small but incredibly strong titanium post that is surgically inserted into the jawbone, dental implants are the only way to replace both the tooth root structure and the visible portion of a missing tooth. Dental implants look natural, provide maximum support for a dental crown or other dental prosthetics, and can last for decades with proper care.
Restore your smile to improve your looks and your health – and maybe even to snag that Valentine’s Day date! Talk to your dentist today to get started.
About the Practice
Men and women in Phoenix know they can turn to the implant specialists at Bell Road Dental Care to restore their smiles. Using the latest in dental implant technology, their expert team can perform every step of implant treatment – including the placement procedure – under a single roof. They even offer a dental implant special that includes the implant, abutment and crown for one low price. Learn more at Bell Road Dental Care’s website or by calling 602-404-3483.